Casting a Healthier Future: Electrochemical and Microstructural Characterization of the Cu-Zn-Al-Sn Alloy System for Antimicrobial Use
Chemistry- Grade:
- 12
- Teacher:
- Michael Frank
Microbial contamination in healthcare and marine environments compromises safety and incurs billions in costs. To address this, a parametric study was conducted on eight cast Cu-Zn-Al-Sn alloys in the copper-rich corner of a pseudo-ternary system. The goal was to engineer a tunable platform by correlating microstructure to electrochemical corrosion behavior and validating its antimicrobial efficacy. Alloy phases were characterized using SEM (BSE/SE/EDS), XRD, and XRF. Corrosion mechanics were analyzed via Open Circuit Potential (OCP) and Potentiostatic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (PEIS) in simulated human sweat. Antimicrobial utility was validated using modified ISO 22196:2011 bacterial assay technique. Results indicated that Zn and Al variations drove distinct intermetallic phase formations, directly dictating corrosion resistance. Validation of antimicrobial performance provided results indicating ~5-log reduction within two hours, surpassing the EPA’s 3-log target among nearly half casted alloys. This study establishes a validated, microstructurally engineered platform for tunable antimicrobial applications in a variety of environments.
Good design of experiments.
Just wow! Great research approach, the fact that you created your own material and tested it in different ways to answer your research questions and hypothesis!
Congratulations on a great project. The hard work and curiosity are definitely shown!