Laboratory Of Metal Protection And Tropical Testing

Functions :

• Basic research, investigation, technology development, application, and technology transfer in the fields of corrosion, metal protection, tropical testing, and other related areas as regulated by law.
• Managing the system of Tropical testing stations and operating tropical testing activities according to the IMS tasks.

Tasks :

• Study the current situation, causes, and mechanisms of corrosion of metals and alloys, and develop technological solutions for protecting metals and alloys from corrosion in the tropical and industrial environment of Vietnam.
• Research, develop, and diversify technologies and environments related to data and natural testing from a tropical technical perspective.
• Research special functional materials for applications in energy storage and conversion, biomedicine; develop oxygen-scavenging materials for preserving agricultural products, equipment, etc.
• Study the mechanisms and assess the impact of the environment and harmful microorganisms on metal corrosion and material degradation in the tropical and industrial environment of Vietnam.
• Efficiently exploit the natural testing station system to serve the IMS specialized tasks.
• Apply, implement technology, and provide scientific and technical services that align with the Laboratory’s functions.
• Cooperate in scientific research, technology transfer, and high-level personnel training with domestic and international partners.
• Develop and compile material and equipment testing standards in the field of corrosion, metal protection, and material degradation.
• Manage personnel, assets, and materials according to state regulations and the IMS guidelines.
• Carry out other tasks assigned by the Director of the IMS.

Main Research Directions:

• Investigate the current status and identify the causes of corrosion of metal materials in the tropical climate environment (atmosphere, water, soil) and the industrial environment of Vietnam.
• Research and propose technological solutions for protecting metals against corrosion: metallic, alloy, and inorganic coatings (Zn, ZnNi coatings, cement paint, etc.), chemical and modified coatings (phosphating, rust modification, Cr+3 chromating, etc.), inhibitors, and electrochemical protection technologies.
• Study on functional materials: conductive polymers, energy storage and conversion materials (LaNi5), oxygen-scavenging materials for preserving agricultural products, equipment, etc.
• Develop sacrificial and inert anodes for cathodic protection using external current and for treating organic pollutants in wastewater.
• Study on biomaterials and develop biocompatible inorganic coatings using electrochemical or chemical technologies.
• Environmental treatment: solid waste treatment, metal recovery, air, and water treatment.
• Develop and compile standards for testing and using materials and equipment.
• Evaluate the weathering resistance of metals and protective coatings using accelerated testing, electrochemical measurements, and natural testing methods.
• Provide consultation, design, and supervision for anti-corrosion protection construction.
• Determine the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of metals, alloys, metal coatings, and concrete.
• Collect and digitize microclimate and atmospheric pollution factors affecting corrosion and material degradation processes.
• Collect and digitize microbiological factors affecting corrosion and material degradation processes.
• Study rapid prediction methods for material lifespan and protection techniques in tropical climate conditions.
• Investigate the impact of microorganisms and tropical environments on material durability.
• Assess the effects of harmful microorganisms, especially mold, on material surfaces, particularly paint and coatings. Additionally, evaluate bacterial resistance on material surfaces in laboratory conditions.
• Collect experimental data on the development of common mold strains (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium sp., Chaetomium sp.) found in Vietnam/tropical climates and compliant with certain ASTM and TCVN standards.
• Apply testing methods according to ASTM standards (ASTM G21, D5590, D3273, and similar TCVNs).
• Propose and advise on effective solutions to minimize the negative impacts of microorganisms (bacteria and mold) on material surfaces.
• Propose solutions to protect material durability in conditions of microorganism contamination and the influence of tropical climate at testing stations.

Contact information of Deputy Head of Laboratory, in charge of Lab: - Scientific title, full name: Dr.  Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong - Office address: Room 303, Building A12 - Mobile phone number: 0914645129 - Email: ntthuong@ims.vast.ac.vn

LIST OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE LABORATORY OF METAL PROTECTION AND TROPICAL TESTING

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS

• State-level project 48D.01.01: Study on the corrosion process of some metals (CT3 steel, C45 steel, zinc, zinc and cadmium coatings) under the tropical climate conditions of Vietnam, 1981-1985. Award from the State Committee for Science and Technology.
• Study on corrosion and protection of metals and concrete structures in the Spratly Islands, as part of State-level project KT.03.13. Scientific and technical evaluation for urgent issues in the environmental rehabilitation program and the rational use of marine biological resources in the Spratly Islands, 1991-1995.
• VAST project: Research on the development of an environmentally friendly passivation solution free of Cr(VI) ions for zinc coatings, 2009-2010.
• VAST project: Research on oxygen-reducing agents and nano-sized CO2 and SO2 absorbents to create an anti-oxidation preservation environment, 2010-2011.
• NAFOSTED project: Research on the synthesis of micro-nano structured hydroxyapatite (HAp) films on 316L stainless steel, titanium nitride, and their potential application in medical bone screws and pins, 2010-2013.
• VAST project: Research on the development of a Zn-Ni/nanosilica alloy coating as a substitute for cadmium plating to protect against corrosion in harsh conditions, 2019-2020.
• VAST project: Research and development of advanced materials and coating technologies for civil and defense applications (Component 5), 2021-2023.

Figure 1. Cr(III) passivated zinc coating product

Figure 2. Patent of process for producing zinc-nickel-nano silicon oxide alloy coatings

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Phuong Thu Nguyen, Xuyen Thi Nguyen, Trang Van Nguyen, Thom Thi Nguyen, Thai Quoc Vu, Huy Trung Nguyen, Nam Thi Pham, Thanh Mai Thi Dinh, Treatment of Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions using modified apatite ore, Journal of Chemistry, 2020, Volume 2020, Article ID 652197, 12 pages, (SCIE)
2. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Le Duc Bao, Le Ba Thang, Nguyen Van Chien, Truong Thi Nam, Nguyen Van Khuong; Corrosion behavior of electrodeposited ZnNi alloy – CeO₂ modified SiO₂ particle composite coatings, DOI: 10.1134/S0036024421040099; Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2021, Vol. 95, No. 4, pp. 827–833. ISSN 0036-0244; 2021
3. Uong Van Vy, Le Ba Thang, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Le Xuan Que, Effect of stabilizing and brightening agents and some operating conditions on electroplating kinetics of NiCu alloys from citrate-sulfate solutions, Vietnam J. Chem., 2021, 59(1), 37-41, DOI: 10.1002/vjch.202000094.
4. Pham Thi Nam, Dinh Thi Mai Thanh, Nguyen Thu Phuong, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Cao Thi Hong, Vo Thi Kieu Anh, Tran Dai Lam, Nguyen Thi Thom, Adsorption of Ag⁺ ions using hydroxyapatite powder and recovery silver by electrodeposition, Vietnam J. Chem., 2021, 59(2), 179-186. DOI: 10.1002/vjch.202000148. (Scopus)
5. Truong Thi Nam, Le Ba Thang, Le Duc Bao, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong and Pham Hong Duc, Study the Effects of Some Organic Additives to the Galvanizing in Amonium Chloride Electrolyte Zinc Plating Baths, Elixir Corrosion and Dye 171 56511 - 56516(2022)
6. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Pham Thi Nam, Le Ba Thang, Uong Van Vy, Le Duc, B. and Nguyen Tuan Anh; Effects of nano-SiO₂ and trivalent chromium conversion on corrosion resistance of NiZn-plated steel: towards a multilayer coating for steel protection; Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 70 No. 1, 2023, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-08-2022-2691; 2023
7. Uong Van Vy, Le Duc Bao, Le Ba Thang, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Nguyen Van Chien, Truong Thi Nam, and Le Xuan Que, Fabricating of MnO₂/CNTs Nanocomposite by Hydrothermal-Assisted Chemical Oxidation for Application as Cathode Materials in Mg Batteries, Russian Journal of Electrochemistry, 2023, Vol. 59, No. 11, pp. 981–987, DOI: 10.1134/S1023193523110162
8. Utility patent No. 2847, granted under Decision No. 2567w/QĐ-SHTT on February 14, 2022. Process for creating a zinc-nickel-silicon oxide alloy coating on carbon steel. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Le Ba Thang, Truong Thi Nam, Nguyen Van Chien, Nguyen Van Khuong, Le Duc Bao.
9. Utility patent No. 32168, granted under Decision No. 6999w/QĐ-SHTT on April 28, 2022. Process for washing and separating to recover calcium silicate and metal phosphate compounds from electric phosphate slag. Nguyen Van Chien, Pham Duc Long, Le Ba Thang, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Nguyen Anh Minh, Pham Thi Hai Dang, Nguyen Mai Phong, Thai Hoang, Nguyen Vu Giang.
10. Utility patent No. 3608, granted under Decision No. 44440/QĐ-SHTT.IP on April 16, 2024. Process for manufacturing multilayer zinc-nickel-silicon oxide coatings with a black passive layer on steel. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Le Ba Thang, Nguyen Van Chien, Le Duc Bao, Uong Van Vy, Dao Bich Thuy, Truong Thi Nam.
11. Anh Truc Trinh, Anh Son Nguyen, Thu Thuy Thai, Nicolas Caussé, Nadine Pébère. A comparative study of lithium salts for the corrosion inhibition of 2024 aluminium alloy, Applied Surface Science Advances, 21, 2024, 100606.
12. Anh Son Nguyen, Thuy Duong Nguyen, To Thi Xuan Hang, Thi Vy Anh Vuong, Thu Thuy Pham, Thu Thuy Thai, Anh Truc Trinh, Nadine Pébère. Assessing the corrosion protection of 8-hydroxyquinoline-cerium (III) complex for carbon steel in a NaCl solution, Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology, 62 (2), 2024, 299-311.
13. Anh Son Nguyen, Thuy Duong Nguyen, Thu Thuy Pham, Ke Oanh Vu, Thi Xuan Hang To, Lan Phuong Trinh, Xuan Thang Dam, Minh Quy Bui. Evaluation of the hydrophobic and barrier properties of the polyurethane coatings covered by stearic acid thin layer, Communications in Physics, 33 (4), 2023, 447-455.
14. Anh Son Nguyen, Thuy Duong Nguyen, Thu Thuy Thai, Anh Truc Trinh, Gia Vu Pham, Hoang Thai, Dai Lam Tran, Thi Xuan Hang To, Duy Trinh Nguyen. Synthesis of conducting PANi/SiO₂ nanocomposites and their effect on electrical and mechanical properties of antistatic waterborne epoxy coating, Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 17, 2020, 361-370.
15. Pham, D. Q.; Chu, T. V.; Phan, H. T.; Nguyen, S. V.; Le, T. T.; Tran, D. Q.; Nguyen, H. K.; Vo, A. T. K.; Tran, L. D.; Tran, K. N.; Vu, H. D.; Le Dang, Q. Antifungal Nanoformulation of Botanical Anthraquinone and TiO2 against Melon Phytopathogenic Fungi: Preparation, in Vitro Bioassays and Field Test. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 2025, 53 (1), 14108–14108. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53114108.
16. Le Dang, Q., Quoc Nguyen, C., De Tran, Q., Kim, J., Thi Vo, K.A., Thi Cao, H., Thi Nguyen, X., Huy Nguyen, T., Thi Nguyen, T.T., Huu Nguyen, T., Tu Ho, C., Thanh Nguyen, C., Tam Le, T., Son Nguyen, V., Ja Choi, G., 2024. Anti‐Phytopathogenic and Phytotoxic Effects of Annona glabra Lin. and Annona muricata Lin. Seed Extracts: In vitro and In vivo Assessment, Bioactive Compound Quantification, and Mechanism Involved. ChemistrySelect 9, e202401730. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202401730
17. Le, T.T., Nguyen, H.D., Ho, D.Q., Phan, T.H.T., Tran, P.C., Dinh, T.T.G., Le, T.T.H., Ho, T.N., Nguyen, T.T., Tran, L.D., Le Dang, Q., 2024. Synthesis and Evaluation of Copper Oleate Nanoparticles Against Citrus Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides : In Situ Experiments, In Vitro Bioassays, and Field Trials. ChemistrySelect 9, e202401735. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202401735
18. Le Dang Quang 2024-Process of extracting extracts containing taraxasteryl acetate and taraxasteryl acetate from the stem and leaves of Eupatorium fortunei as active ingredients with good antifungal activity against Sclerotium rolfsii causing wilt, white mold and Rhizoctonia solani causing sheath blight on crops, Patent for Utility Solution, Application number: 2-2020-00366 (issued on: January 25, 2024).
19. Le Dang, Q.; Thi Do, H. T.; Choi, G. J.; Van Nguyen, M.; Dinh Vu, H.; Vu Pham, G.; Tu Ho, C.; Nguyen, X. C.; Hanh Vu, V.; Tran, T. D.; Nghiem, D. T.; Trang Nguyen, T. T. In Vitro and in Vivo Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts and Constituents Derived from Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. against Various Phytopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. Industrial Crops and Products 2022, 188, 115521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115521.