Tuning the Wetting Properties of SiO₂-Based Nanofluids to Create Durable Surfaces with Special Wettability for Self-Cleaning, Anti-Fouling, and Oil–Water Separation

Abstract

Surfaces with special wettability have aroused lots of attention due to their broad applications in many fields. In this work, we systematically report selective and various fabrications of nanofluids based on readily available materials such as SiO 2 nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane to create superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, superhydrophilic/superoleophobic, and underwater superoleophobic coatings. The efficiency of prepared coatings is investigated on mineral rock plates as porous substrates via the straightforward and cost-effective solution-immersion technique. The static water contact angle of 170°, effortless bouncing of water droplets, and self-cleaning property with a near zero tilt of the solid surface are signs of a high-performance superhydrophobic surface treated with the polydimethylsiloxanemodified silica nanofluid. The superamphiphobic nanofluid coating endows a non-adhesive feature to the rock surface by which the water and oil droplets can be freely moved on the surface with negligible tilt and are easily detached by a needle tip without leaving a trail. What is more, the superamphiphobic surface provides excellent anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties, along with convenient rolling-off behavior with sliding angles ≤8°for various oily liquids. Also, the obtained superhydrophilic/superoleophobic surface exhibits dual superoleophobicity both in air and underwater. These diverse coatings can be used on different substrates, which notably expand the scope of applications. As a case, we employed the superhydrophilic/superoleophobic coating on a stainless-steel mesh for oil−water separation. The separation efficiency of above 99% for various oil−water mixtures confirms the superior oilshielding and water-affinity properties of the coating. All of the abovementioned advantages, combined with significant chemical and mechanical stability and high-pressure−high-temperature resistance of the treated surfaces, indicate that the prepared multifunctional coatings will hold great potential in a variety of practical and industrial applications.

In Situ Observation of Chemical Reactions at Buried Solid/Solid Interfaces in Coextruded Multilayer Polymer Films

“…Multilayer polymer films and polymer coatings have become indispensable for the transport and storage of goods in many industries, offering a reliable, sanitary, and inexpensive solution to meet the demands of increasingly complex applications and environments. – These films can have sophisticated structures that take advantage of the properties of individual polymer layers (e.g., puncture resistance, gas permeability, UV protection) to produce multilayer films optimized for specific applications. For example, a food storage film may include a Nylon or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) barrier layer in addition to a polyolefin layer providing a moisture or oxygen barrier, structural support, and sealability.…”

A facile approach to fabricate a stabilized slippery lubricant-infused porous surface with dynamic omniphobicity for self-cleaning

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Therefore, the fabrication of surfaces with unique dynamic omniphobicity has gained rapid momentum in the advancement of new materials. Interestingly, it has shown broad application prospects in a variety of elds, including selfcleaning, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] anti-fouling, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] anti-corrosion, 8,16-21 drag reduction 14,[21][22][23] and oil-water separation. 9,10,[24][25][26] Nepenthes is a representative dynamic omniphobic surface found in nature.…”

“…Interestingly, it has shown broad application prospects in a variety of elds, including selfcleaning, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] anti-fouling, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] anti-corrosion, 8,16-21 drag reduction 14,[21][22][23] and oil-water separation. 9,10,[24][25][26] Nepenthes is a representative dynamic omniphobic surface found in nature. Inspired by it, researchers have developed surfaces with dynamic omniphobicity that utilize a lubricantinfused structure.…”

Optimizing the Superhydrophobicity of the Composite PDMS/PUA Film Produced by a R2R System

“…In nature, there are many examples of superhydrophobic surfaces possessing this special self-cleaning property such as butterfly wings, shark skin, and lotus leaves. − It is revealed that this property of the lotus leaf or the “Lotus effect” results from the rough morphology and the hydrophobic epicuticular wax covering the entire surface leaf. − Inspired by this discovery, many researchers have mimicked the “Lotus effect” by designing and fabricating artificial superhydrophobic surfaces using the combination of micro/nano or hierarchical morphologies and low surface energy materials. − However, besides the elemental factors constituting the superhydrophobicity of a surface-like surface roughness and hydrophobic material coating, the superhydrophobic surface has to be transparent for applications requiring high optical transmittance like solar cell panel protection . Therefore, several strategies for fabricating flexible transparent superhydrophobic structures have been reported.…”