Superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of fluorinated methacrylates on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics. The hydrophobicity of the PET fabric was systematically tunable by controlling the polymerization time. The obtained superhydrophobic fabrics showed excellent chemical robustness even after exposure to different chemicals, such as acid, base, salt, acetone, and toluene. Importantly, the fabrics maintained superhydrophobicity after 2500 abrasion cycles, 100 laundering cycles, and long time exposure to UV irradiation. Also, the surface of the superhydrophobic fabrics showed excellent antifouling properties.

The development of high specific surface area amidoxime-based polymeric (H-ABP) fibers presents a new technology for the synthesis of highly efficient adsorbents for uranium extraction from seawater (UES), thus opening a whole new means of nuclear fuel production from the ocean.

Superhydrophobic fabrics were fabricated by creation of roughening structures through alkali etching of fibers, modification with mercapto silanes and hydrophobization via thiol–ene click chemistry.

A series of novel green lubricants with dissolved lignin in [Choline][Amino Acid] ([CH][AA]) ionic liquids (ILs) have been synthesized in this work. The effect of lignin on the thermal and tribological properties of the lignin/[CH][AA] lubricants were systematically investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and friction and wear tester. The lignin in [CH][AA] has been demonstrated effective additive to improve thermal stability, reduce wear rate and stabilize friction coefficient of lignin/[CH][AA] lubricants. Density function theory calculation on the electronic structure of [CH][AA] ILs reveals the atomic natural charge of ILs and their hydrogen bonding capability with lignin. Moreover, these green lubricants show excellent anti-corrosive property against commercial aluminum and iron boards. The strong physical adsorption of [CH][AA] ILs onto steel surface and the reciprocal hydrogen bonding between [CH][AA] ILs and lignin synergistically contribute to the enhanced lubrication film strength and thus the tribological property of these new lubricants. This work provides a new perspective on utilizing complete bio-products in advanced tribological lubrication systems. In addition, this will open a new application venue of lignin to improve product value in lignocellulosic biomass utilization.