ELECTROSPRAYING/ELECTROSPINNING OF POLY(γ-STEARYL-L-GLUTAMATE): FORMATION OF SURFACES WITH SUPERHYDROPHOBICITY

  Electrospraying/electrospinning of poly(γ-stearyl-L-glutamate) (PSLG) was investigated on a series solutions with different concentrations in chloroform. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR) were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the electrosprayed/electrospun polypeptide mats. It was found that electrospraying of PSLG with concentrations lower than 16 wt% afforded beads, while microfibers could be electrospun at the concentration of 22 wt%. The hydrophobicity of the electrosprayed/electrospun PSLG mats was investigated with static water contact angle (WCA) and tilt angle measurements. It was demonstrated that the superhydrophobic surfaces of PSLG with WCAs and tilt angles in the ranges of 150°-170° and 16.5°-4.2°, respectively, were obtained through electrospraying/electrospinning process.     

具有超疏水性质的图案化Ag膜

以重氮树脂(DR)/聚丙烯酸(PAA)自组装膜的微图案作为模板, 通过DNA和聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵(PDDA)在模板上的层层沉积制备了图案化的DNA膜. 再在其中进行Ag的化学沉积得到图案化的Ag膜. 最后利用低表面能的十二烷基硫醇对Ag膜进行表面修饰, 制备了具有超疏水性质的图案化Ag膜. 其静态接触角达到约168°.     

Controlled water flooding of polymer electrolyte fuel cells applying superhydrophobic gas diffusion layer

Water transport is critical to the successful implementation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), especially in long-term and dynamic operation in automotives. Liquid water appears in the fuel cells not only from the water generated at the cathode catalyst layer but also as a result of condensation of water vapor from the humidified gases. In this study, we report a simple approach to prepare a superhydrophobic gas diffusion layer by chemical vapor deposition of polydimethylsiloxane without significant change in pore size of gas diffusion layer unlike other approach adding hydrophobic agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene. A superhydrophobic coating on the GDL can be obtained, leading to exceptionally enhanced power performance and stability of PEFC especially at a high current where water transport becomes more critical.     

A superhydrophobic magnetic elastomer actuator for droplet motion control

For the fast droplet transportation on an open surface, a new magnetic elastomer with a superhydrophobic surface has been developed. Because the surface is superhydrophobic, the water droplet can easily roll off on the surface. The movement of the droplet was controlled by a deliberate local deformation of the surface of the elastomer induced by magnetic actuation. The direction and speed of the droplet motion was easily controlled by changing the surface topography using magnetic force. We also demonstrate the applicability of the devices as a new type of open‐surface digital microfluidics using a simple chemical reaction. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

分子自组装法制备具有可控浸润性的铜表面简

通过简单浸泡的方法在铜基底上制备出了具有微纳米复合结构的氧化铜,再利用混合硫醇溶液[含HS(CH2)9CH3和 HS(CH2)11OH]对浸泡后的表面进行修饰,通过控制溶液中HS(CH2)11OH的浓度,制备出一系列具有不同浸润性的铜表面,实现表面从超疏水到超亲水的有效调控. 研究发现,表面浸润的可控性源于表面复合结构与不同化学组成的协同作用,微纳米复合结构的存在为表面浸润性的调节提供了必要的条件.     

Preparation of superhydrophobic composite paper mulching film

To study the influence of different concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO)/silicon dioxide (SiO₂) composite coating on hydrophobic property and mechanical stability of paper mulch film, three kinds of ZnO/SiO₂ composite coating paper mulch films (2%, 4%, 6%) with different coating substance contents were prepared by brush coating method. Through particle size analysis, contact angle, rolling angle and mechanical stability test, combined with scanning electron microscope, three-dimensional morphology and roughness measuring instrument, the optimal concentration of ZnO/SiO₂ composite coated paper mulch film was screened out. Through acid-base salt corrosion test, silver mirror reaction and surface self-cleaning, the optimal concentration of composite coated paper mulch film was compared with the original paper mulch film to prove its excellent chemical stability and hydrophobicity. The results show that the paper mulch film with 4% coating material has excellent hydrophobicity and mechanical stability, can effectively reduce the surface roughness of paper mulch film, and has remarkable effects in resisting acid, alkali and salt and self-cleaning.     

Strong and Superhydrophobic Wood with Aligned Cellulose Nanofibers as a Waterproof Structural Material†

Lightweight structural materials are important for the energy efficiency of applications, particularly those in the building sector. Here, inspired by nature, we developed a strong, superhydrophobic, yet lightweight material by simple in situ growth of nano‐SiO₂ and subsequent densification of the wood substrate. In situ generation of SiO₂ nanoparticles both inside the wood channels and on the wood surfaces gives the material superhydrophobicity, with static and dynamic contact angles of 159.4^o and 3^o, respectively. Densification of the wood to remove most of the spaces among the lumen and cell walls results in a laminated, dense structure, with aligned cellulose nanofibers, which in turn contributes to a high mechanical strength up to 384.2 MPa (7‐times higher than natural wood). Such treatment enables the strong and superhydrophobic wood (SH‐Wood) to be stable and have excellent water, acid, and alkaline resistance. The high mechanical strength of SH‐Wood combined with its excellent structural stability in harsh environments, as well its low density, positions the strong and superhydrophobic wood as a promising candidate for strong, lightweight, and durable structural materials that could potentially replace steel.     

Preparation of hybrid film with superhydrophobic surfaces based on irregularly structure by emulsion polymerization

A superhydrophobic surface originated from quincunx-shape composite particles was obtained by utilizing the encapsulation and graft of silica particles to control the surface chemistry and morphology of the hybrid film. The composite particles make the surface of film form a composite interface with irregular binary structure to trap air between the substrate surface and the liquid droplets which plays an essential role in obtaining high water contact angle and low water contact angle hysteresis. The water contact angle on the hybrid film is determined to be 154 ± 2° and the contact angle hysteresis is less than 5°. This is expected to be a simple and practical method for preparing self-cleaning hydrophobic surfaces on large area.     

Superhydrophobicity of polytetrafluoroethylene thin film fabricated by pulsed laser deposition

Superhydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thin films were obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique carried out with KrF excimer laser (λ = 248 nm) of about 1 J/cm² at a pressure of 1.33 Pa. The samples exhibit high water contact angle of about 170° and the sliding angle smaller than 2°. From studying the surface morphology of the prepared films, it is believed that the nano-scale surface roughness has enhanced the hydrophobic property of the PTFE. The increase of trapping air and reducing liquid-solid contact area due to the rough surface, as suggested by the Cassie-Baxter's model, should be responsible for superhydrophobicity of the PLD prepared films. This study thus provides a convenient one-step method without using wet-process to produce a superhydrophobic surface with good self-cleaning properties.     

超疏水性材料表面的制备、应用和相关理论研究的新进展

文章总结了Wenzel方程、Cassie方程及一种具有极高精确度的,可方便测出固体表面上液滴前进角和后退角的测试方法等超疏水表面的最新理论研究成果;回顾了溶胶凝胶法、化学修饰法、喷涂法、液相法、化学蚀刻法、水热法、微相分离法、原位聚合法、静电纺丝法、阳极氧化法等近几年出现的超疏水表面的制备方法;介绍了在微物质能量、生物医学、光学、燃料以及电池应用等领域超疏水表面的最新功能性的应用。最后,客观地展望了超疏水表面制备及理论研究的发展方向。