Interview with Dr. Sebastian Feliu Jr.—Winner of the Metals 2022 Best Paper Award
All papers published in 2020 and 2021 in Metals (ISSN: 2075-4701) were considered for the award. After a thorough evaluation of the originality and significance of the papers, citations, and downloads, the winner was selected.
Review:
“Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for the Measurement of the Corrosion Rate of Magnesium Alloys: Brief Review and Challenges”
by Feliu Sebastián, Jr.
Metals 2020, 10(6), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/met10060775
Dr. Sebastian Feliu Jr. is a tenured scientist within the ECORR research group at the National Center of Metallurgical Research (CENIM), Madrid. He earned his Ph.D. in metallurgy with the highest distinction, “apto cum laude”, from the Complutense University in Spain in 1990. Additionally, he conducted post-doctoral research within the Surface and Interface Group at the University of Surrey, UK. He has participated in 17 research projects and has published 87 articles in the Web of Science of Thomson Reuters, 14 articles not included in the ISI Web of Knowledge, and 8 chapters in books. His publications have been ISI-cited over 2440 times (6 papers with over 100 citations and 13 papers with over 50 citations), with an h-index of 25. Throughout his career, Dr. Feliu Jr. has been actively involved in research in the field of metallurgy and corrosion science. His research interests in this area mainly include an understanding of the corrosion mechanisms of various structural metals and the factors that affect their corrosion, which is considered one of the key factors limiting, or even preventing, their use under real-life service conditions. Such an understanding is also essential for the widespread application of materials in aggressive environments (especially environments containing H2O and Cl‒).
1. Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself to our readers?
I graduated with an honors degree in metallurgy from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Complutense University of Madrid in 1987. My main interests are in the field of corrosion, largely due to my interesting and fruitful conversations with Prof. S. Feliu, my father. In 1988, I was awarded a Ph.D. scholarship funded by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). In 1990, I completed my doctoral thesis under the direction of Professors Manuel Morcillo and Jose Maria Bastidas in the Department of Corrosion at CENIM. My Ph.D. was primarily focused on the use of impedance measurements to obtain information about the effect of the replacement of a fraction of zinc with a Fe2P extender on the anti-corrosive properties of zinc-rich coatings. Following my Ph.D., I joined the group of Prof. James Castle at the University of Surrey, England, in 1991, as an honorary research fellow, where I used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the influence of the atmosphere on the chemical damage to polypropylene during the process of abrasion, focusing, in particular, on the chemical composition of the surface during the process of abrasion. I was promoted to tenured scientist at CENIM in 1995. I remain in this role at present. My research interests include three lines of investigation within corrosion research. The first is the study, by means of surface analysis techniques, of the corrosion mechanisms of technological materials, including galvanized steels and aluminum and magnesium alloys. The objective of this line of research, using the XPS technique, has been to try to establish relationships between the chemical composition of the outermost surfaces of the materials and their resistance to corrosion. The second is the study of the corrosion mechanisms of Mg–Al alloys. The objective is to use EIS, XPS, gravimetric, and hydrogen evolution measurements to understand and assess the protective nature of the native oxide films and the corrosion layers formed on the surfaces of different Mg–Al alloys and environments. The third is the study, by electrochemical methods, of the corrosion mechanisms of technological materials. One of the objectives of this line of research is the study of the possibilities offered by the EIS technique to determine the corrosion rates of Mg alloys. In particular, the resistance and electrical capacity parameters of the materials are relevant in terms of studying their behavior.
2. What is your current area of research and why did you choose this research field?
From a technological point of view, the establishment of reliable corrosion rate values is an essential step for the estimation of the service life of structures based on materials, the comparative evaluation of the durability of different alloys, and the control of the effectiveness of protective methods. In recent years, despite the obvious practical interest in electrochemical methods to determine the corrosion rates of Mg–Al alloys, some aspects have not yet been sufficiently clarified. Numerous studies conclude that the electrochemical estimations for Mg and its alloys are unreliable and tend to underestimate the actual corrosion rates by several orders of magnitude. A recent paper stated that the issue of the accurate measurement of Mg alloys’ corrosion rates using electrochemical methods is one of the three greatest challenges in the context of the corrosion of Mg. However, the accurate assessment of the corrosion rates of Mg and Mg alloys by electrochemical methods remains a complex subject that is under active debate within the research community. As such, one of the main objectives of my current research is to confirm the utility of the EIS technique for the reliable corrosion rate estimation of Mg alloys and to study the factors affecting it, attempting to improve the reliability of the experimental results by devising better study designs. Another distinct objective of my current research is to study the composition, structure, and protective properties of the nano-layers formed on the outer surfaces of Mg–Al alloys in contact with the atmosphere or on the surfaces of the corrosion product layers formed in contact with different corrosive environments, with the aim of identifying possible relationships with the alloy’s corrosion behavior.
3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
At present, the corrosion of metallic materials remains a major technological and economic challenge because the service lifetime of these materials is often limited by their stability or durability in more extreme environments. The field of corrosion research is dynamic and ever evolving, with ongoing efforts to develop new materials, techniques, and strategies to mitigate or prevent corrosion. Although it is difficult to predict the future, some research topics that have been of interest to the corrosion research community in recent years are likely to continue to be important in the coming years. The development of cost-effective, environmentally friendly materials with superior resistance to corrosion, such as corrosion-resistant alloys, protective coatings, and composites, is the main challenge. A novel research topic consists of using advanced computational tools, such as thermochemical computation and experimental databases, to design new materials by maximizing their resistance to corrosion, molecular dynamics simulations to study the corrosion protection mechanisms of inhibitors, and finite element analysis to establish models of failure. Another ongoing topic is the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable corrosion protection methods, including inhibitors and superhydrophobic or self-healing composite coatings, as well as the recycling of materials and reducing the environmental impact of corrosion prevention measures. From a basic corrosion research point of view, the implementation of sophisticated surface analysis techniques in universities and research centers has led to considerable progress in the understanding of the metallic surface chemistry, structure, and properties at the nanometer level, and, in combination with electrochemical methods, they will lead to an improved understanding of corrosion mechanisms. Emerging new technologies, such as renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing processes, will accelerate progress in corrosion research. Fortunately, there are many other corrosion topics to be addressed by future research.
4. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to submit your paper? What benefits do you think authors can gain when publishing their articles in Metals?
The journal Metals is interdisciplinary and covers a broad range of research topics, such as metallurgy, materials science, and corrosion. My work is primarily within the field of corrosion, which fits within the scope of the journal. Metals has a large audience that includes academic researchers and professionals in the field of metallurgy and materials science, and it benefits the authors through its visibility and recognition within the research community and industry. The journal’s impact factor is also attractive. Journals with a high impact factor often receive more attention and citations, which enhances the visibility and impact of the research. In addition, I value the rigor and transparency of the peer-review process at Metals. In my opinion, a rigorous, constructive, and fair peer-review process is essential in maintaining the quality and credibility of the research published. Metals offers open access publication, which makes the research freely accessible to a larger audience, maximizing the dissemination of the published work. Additionally, Metals aligns with the principles of accessibility and transparency, which are highly valued by several state agencies for scientific research and technological development agencies (such as the National Research Council (CSIC)). I chose this journal due to the rapid processes in the review and publication of original work, especially regarding the rapid sharing of published work with different research groups. The expertise and reputation of the editors and board members in my field are another factor. Moreover, the efficiency of all of the administrative staff results in the highly effective management of manuscripts. Metals also has an international readership and authorship, which ensures the wider distribution of research and collaboration within the scientific community. Finally, the ethical and professional publishing standards of Metals, such as transparency in authorship, conflicts of interest, and ethical guidelines, encouraged me to submit my work to the journal.
5. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts authors?
Open access has significant impacts on authors, providing several benefits, advantages, and opportunities. Open access journals make research freely available to anyone with an Internet connection, democratizing knowledge and enabling authors to reach a global audience. The broader accessibility increases the impact and visibility of authors' work, making it easier for researchers, students, professionals, policymakers, and interested citizens worldwide to access and read their research. This can lead to increased opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists and outreach. On the other hand, studies have shown that open access articles tend to receive more citations than articles published in traditional, subscription-based journals. This increased visibility can lead to greater recognition and impact of the author's research. Moreover, open access accelerates the rapid dissemination of research findings. Authors can share their work more quickly, contributing to the acceleration of knowledge, dissemination, and discovery. Open access research is often easier to find and share. Authors can connect with other researchers in their field more readily, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities. Open access journals often have transparent and ethical publishing practices, emphasizing author rights, attributions, and clear licensing terms. Authors may appreciate the ethical standards upheld by open access publications. Many funding agencies and institutions require researchers to publish their work in open access formats to ensure that publicly funded research is accessible to the public. Complying with these requirements is easier when publishing in open access journals. Finally, open access publications frequently provide authors with statistics and metrics about the readership and impact of their work, allowing authors to track how their research is being used and cited.
6. As the winner of this award, is there anything you would like to express or anyone you would like to thank the most?
First, I would like to express the most heartfelt gratitude to my father, Prof. Sebastian Feliu Matas. He instilled in me a passion for corrosion science and was a continuous source of support, inspiration, and guidance throughout my scientific career. Some of his ideas were influential in the preparation of the award-winning manuscript. I would also like to thank Professors Manuel Morcillo and Jose Maria Bastidas, my thesis directors, who introduced me to the field of corrosion and impedance and helped me through my early career. I would like to thank Dr. Juan Carlos Galvan and Prof. Lucien Veleva for the fruitful exchange of ideas about the application of electrochemical methods to corrosion studies. Prof. Angel Pardo, who aroused my interest in the corrosion behavior of magnesium, is also acknowledged. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my Ph.D. students for their enthusiasm and insatiable curiosity. I am also grateful to the members of the ECORR group for their collaboration and friendship. Additionally, I thank the Department of Surface Engineering, Corrosion and Durability of CENIM; in many ways, this award is a recognition of the work of my colleagues. Furthermore, I wish to express my gratitude to CENIM and CSIC, which provided me with the economic support, resources, and facilities necessary for my research.
Furthermore, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the selection committee and the editorial team of Metals for this award. This recognition is highly appreciated and will act as a stimulus for my scientific career in corrosion research.
Finally, I would like to thank my family members for their continuous affection, support, and comprehension, especially my mother, Maria Teresa.
You can find more information about Metals Awards at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/metals/awards. To request further information, please contact the Metals Editorial Office at metals@mdpi.com.
Metals Editorial Office