Magnus Johnson

My research is focused on nanoscale studies of nanocellulose, plant cell walls, and atmospheric corrosion employing the technique "Nano FTIR microscopy" that can provide chemical information with a spatial resolution of 20 nm.

Research fields:

• Nano FTIR microscopy
• Nanoscale studies of the structure of nanocellulose
• Nanoscale distribution of components in plant cell walls
• Atmospheric corrosion, corrosion inhibition
• Biomimetic cell membranes
• Polyelectrolyte multilayers

Nanocellulose:
With nano FTIR microscopy we study the structure in nanosized domains along individual cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).

Plant cell walls:
We utilize nano FTIR microscopy to study the nanoscale distribution of components in wood cell walls. 

Atmospheric corrosion:
Model in-situ studies of indoor atmospheric corrosion processes at various coated and uncoated metal surfaces are performed with a multianalytical approach. Recent studies involve investigations of how self-assembled layers of alkyl thiols and alkyl phosphonic acids can be used as corrosion inhibitors to protect copper surfaces exposed to a humid atmosphere containing formic acid, a common indoor corrosion promoter. A combination of three analytical techniques has allowed examinations of the nature (Infrared Reflection/Absorption Spectrocopy, IRRAS) of the corrosion products formed, changes in the order and orientation of the corrosion inhibitors (Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy, VSFS), and the nanoscale distribution of corrosion products (Mano FTIR microscopy) to be performed. 

Biomimetic cell membranes:
Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films are prepared to model natural cell membranes, and VSFS is used to study their packing, order, orientation, hydration, oxidation, and interactions with drugs.

Expertise in techniques:

• Nano FTIR microscopy
• Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS)
• Infrared reflection/absorption spectroscopy (IRAS)
• Langmuir / Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films
• Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)