Keynote Speaker
Prof. Mário G. S. Ferreira
Department of Materials & Ceramic Engineering,CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Speech Title: Self-Healing nanocontainers for Corrosion Protection. Use of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) to Extend the Service Life of Reinforced Concrete
Abstract: The active corrosion protection of metallic substrates can be achieved by addition of corrosion inhibitors. However, direct mixing of an inhibitor with coating formulations can lead to important drawbacks decreasing barrier properties of the coating and diminishing activity of the inhibitor.
In this work novel protective nanostructured coatings with self-healing ability are presented. This effect is obtained based on nanocontainers that release entrapped corrosion inhibitors in response to local pH changes or presence of corrosive species. The development of new nanocontainers for organic and inorganic green corrosion inhibitors is described, especially the most promising from industrial point of view, based on Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH). The combination of different of these nanocontainers in the same system has proved to be effective to accomplish further functions. To extend the service life of reinforced concrete a similar solution could be envisaged with the addition of LDH to concrete mixture.
Emphasis is placed on integrating environmentally conscious components to reduce ecological impact without compromising performance.
Biography: Mário GS Ferreira is recognized worldwide for his expertise in corrosion and materials protection, with a career spanning five decades. He has made significant contributions across various areas, including passive film electronic structures, aluminium alloys, reinforced concrete, biomaterials, coatings, corrosion inhibitors, and self-healing materials. His work also covers atmospheric corrosion and the use of localized electrochemical techniques.
He is currently an Honorary Full Professor at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and a member of the Aveiro Institute of Materials (CICECO). He has held leadership roles such as Head of the Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering and coordinator of the Surface Engineering and Corrosion Protection Group at Instituto Superior Técnico and University of Aveiro.
Ferreira has published over 370 peer-reviewed articles in leading corrosion journals, holds an h-index of 93 (Scopus, July 2025), and has edited 4 scientific books, co-authored 18 book chapters, and registered 5 patents. He has led numerous national and international R&D projects funded by EU programs such as Horizon 2020 and BRITE-EURAM.
He has played a pivotal role in bridging academia and industry through collaborations with companies like EADS, Airbus, FIAT, ThyssenKrupp, and Tata Steel. He has supervised many successful MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers, and frequently delivers keynote and plenary lectures at international conferences.
Ferreira co-founded SmallMaTek LDA, a spin-off dedicated to corrosion and biofouling protection. He has been active in several scientific societies and EU technical committees, and also served as Deputy Director-General for Higher Education in Portugal.
Mário Ferreira received the following honors: “H.H. Uhlig Award” of Corrosion Division of The Electrochemical Society (2013), CAVALLARO Gold Medal, Univ. Ferrara/EFC (2014), Fellow of the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE), Fellow of The Electrochemical Society (ECS), European Corrosion Medal of the European Federation of Corrosion/EFC (2017), Marcel Pourbaix Award of the International Corrosion Council/ICC (2021), Engineers Association Award (OE Portugal)- Senior Adviser Member (2015), FEMS European Materials Gold Medal (2025).