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Seawater corrosion poses significant challenges to marine industrial equipment, leading to a reduced lifespan and potential safety hazards. To enhance the corrosion resistance and reliability of titanium alloys in marine environments, a superhydrophobic TiO₂ nanotube-carbon fiber composite coating (SCF-TAD20) was developed through anodic oxidation, spraying, and chemical modification. SCF-TAD20 achieves a contact angle of 153°, which facilitates excellent corrosion protection due to its unique micro-nano structure, gas barrier properties, and chemical resistance. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that SCF-TAD20 increases the corrosion potential from −0.482 V to 0.0612 V and reduces the corrosion current density from 377.8 × 10−8 A/cm2 to 0.615 × 10−8 A/cm2, a four-order decrease. Its charge transfer resistance (∼8.81E6 Ω·cm2) is significantly higher than that of the substrate (∼3.03E5 Ω·cm2). The coating also performs well in seawater with varying pH levels, showing the lowest corrosion current density and a significant increase in resistive arc radius. This research presents a novel approach to enhancing TC4 titanium alloys for marine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface icing issues have a significant impact on industries such as aviation, transportation, and construction. Superhydrophobic surfaces can delay ice formation due to their liquid‐repellent properties, but their effectiveness is not pronounced in extremely cold environments. Electric heating coatings can effectively prevent ice formation, but they have limitations in environments with insufficient electrical energy supply. The anti‐icing effect of photothermal superhydrophobic coatings is restricted under conditions of insufficient sunlight. To enhance the ice‐preventing performance of superhydrophobic coatings in extremely cold environments, this article employs a template spraying method to prepare a carbon black and graphene composite coating that provides superhydrophobic passive anti‐icing and photo/electrothermal active deicing capabilities. The micro‐nanostructured superhydrophobic surface exhibits exceptional ice‐preventing performance. The excellent electrothermal and photothermal performance, along with high energy conversion efficiency, significantly enhance the coating's deicing efficiency. Under the synergistic effect of solar and electrical energy, the ice layer is completely melted within just 135 s. Furthermore, the material possesses excellent durability (resistance to mechanical wear, acid and alkali corrosion, and UV aging), as well as thermal stability. This research provides new avenues and insights for the development of advanced anti‐icing and deicing materials for applications in aviation, transportation, construction, and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the simple fabrication of a new superhydrophobic magnetic sponge based on CNTs, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, and PDMS was investigated. CNTs were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a nickel ferrite catalyst supported on aluminum oxide (NiFe2O4/Al2O3). The synthesis of nickel ferrite (NiFe) was accomplished using the sol–gel method, yielding magnetic nanoparticles (43 Am2kg−1, coercivity of 93 Oe, 21–29 nm). A new superhydrophobic magnetic PU/CNT/NiFe2O4/PDMS sponge was fabricated using a polyurethane (PU) sponge, CNTs, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) through the immersion coating method. The new PU/CNT/NiFe2O4/PDMS sponge exhibits excellent superhydrophobic/oleophilic/mechanical properties and water repellency (water absorption rate of 0.4%) while having good absorption of oil, olive oil, and organic liquids of different densities (absorption capacity of 21.38 to 44.83 g/g), excellent separation efficiency (up to 99.81%), the ability to be reused for removing oil and organic solvents for more than 10 cycles, and easy control and separation from water using a magnet. The new PU/CNT/NiFe2O4/PDMS sponge is a promising candidate as a reusable sorbent for collecting oil and organic pollutants and can also be used as a hydrophobic filter due to its excellent mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach to fabricate self-cleaning, superhydrophobic coatings on glass surfaces and photovoltaic cells. Using a cost-effective spray-coating technique, superhydrophobic glass surfaces were developed incorporating modified SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized via a simple sol–gel method. Silylating agents, Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOS), were used for the modification, resulting in enhanced surface roughness and hydrophobicity. The study extensively characterizes the analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. Modified NPs with PFOS showed a significant improvement in hydrophobic properties, with water contact angles of 144.73° and sliding angles of 5°. The stability of these surfaces under various pH conditions was also evaluated. This research contributes valuable insights into the development of self-cleaning coatings for glass and photovoltaic cells, demonstrating the potential of superhydrophobic surfaces in practical applications. Highlights: Cost-effective superhydrophobic coatings: A scalable and cost-effective spray-coating method was developed using modified SiO₂ nanoparticles, PFOS, and PDMS to create superhydrophobic surfaces on glass. Significant water repellency: The coatings achieved an impressive water contact angle of 144.73° and a sliding angle of 5°, demonstrating excellent hydrophobic properties close to the superhydrophobic benchmark. Enhanced surface roughness: The dual-phase modification process, involving SiO₂ nanoparticles and PFOS, significantly increased surface roughness, a key factor for maximizing hydrophobicity. Chemical durability: The superhydrophobic coatings exhibited excellent durability, maintaining their properties under various pH conditions, including acidic, neutral, and basic environments. Simple and scalable process: The method used for developing these coatings is both simple and scalable, offering a practical approach for producing durable superhydrophobic surfaces suitable for various industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation methods of superhydrophobic nanocomposite surfaces based on carbon nanotubes are reviewed in view of the different arrangement accuracy and various performance differences of the preparation methods of superhydrophobic surfaces of arrayed and non‐arrayed carbon nanotubes. The application progress of superhydrophobic surfaces of non‐arrayed carbon nanotubes in the fields of anti‐corrosion, anti‐icing and photothermal de‐icing is introduced. On the basis of summarizing the basic preparation methods and properties of carbon nanotubes, the advantages of carbon nanotubes as superhydrophobic surface materials are clarified. By analyzing and comparing the preparation methods of superhydrophobic surface of arrayed carbon nanotubes and non‐arrayed carbon nanotubes, it is concluded that the superhydrophobic surface of arrayed carbon nanotubes has some shortcomings compared with the superhydrophobic surface of non‐arrayed carbon nanotubes. The superhydrophobic surface of non‐arrayed carbon nanotubes offers advantages such as excellent long‐term durability and unique functionality, which will become the focus of research on the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces based on carbon nanotubes. This will provide guidance for future research on the large‐scale preparation of such surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PTFE‐based superhydrophobic coatings have received increasing research and the fabricated coatings exhibited excellent anti‐corrosion, anti‐scaling, anti‐fouling, and anti‐icing properties. In order to further enhance the hydrophobicity of PTFE coating, a PTFE‐based coating consisted of nano‐silica and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was fabricated by deposition coating and annealing treatment. The water contact angle and sliding angle of the coating achieved 160.65° and 3.02°, respectively, demonstrating it possessed superhydrophobic property. Due to its excellent surface feature, the coating exhibited resistance to milk, coffee, and mud water, and could be easily cleaned by water flow. Besides, the water droplet on the coating had a longer freezing time and the ice droplet could be easily removed from the coating. Ascribed to the abundant nonpolar groups and the air cushion formed under water, the prepared coating had outstanding anti‐scaling and anti‐corrosion properties. The electrochemical impedance of the steel plate with the coating (above 9000 Ω·cm2) increased by two orders of magnitude compared with the non‐coating one (78.2 Ω·cm2), and the anti‐scaling rates of the coating towards BaSO4 and SrSO4 were all above 80%. It is promising that the coating will be a competitive candidate in many application fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unbiodegradable petroleum-based packaging materials have posed a significant threat to the environment and human health, forcing the exploration of alternatives. Inspired by the charge-secreting layer of Sandcastle worm and the asymmetric wettability of lotus leaf, we successfully developed a dual biomimetic cellulose-based packaging material (CW@(CT)10). This material was achieved through an electrically charge-controlled layer-by-layer self-assembly of chitosan and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs), followed by functionalization with carnauba wax (CW). The material achieved commendable mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, rendering it highly stable and durable. Benefitting from the rough surface with nanostructures and low surface energy, the CW@(CT)10 showed a high water contact angle of 152.14°. The superhydrophobic surface reduced the bacterial adhesion, which integrated with the electropositivity of chitosan, endowing the materials with a 100% antibacterial ability to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Fruit antimicrobial tests and degradation studies in the natural environment demonstrated that CW@(CT)10 kept fruit bacteria-free for 5 days and were completely biodegraded within 100 days. Notably, this work introduced a facile strategy for scalable production of a sustainable, inexpensive, durable, and environmentally friendly material, showcasing immense potential applications in food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine oil spills and improper disposal of daily oil usage have posed significant threat to ecological environments and human health due to rapid industrial development. In this study, an environmentally friendly, simple process and high‐performance Fe3O4@SiO2@Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)‐based smart bionic superhydrophobic oil‐absorbing material was developed for effectively collecting and removing oil pollutants from water. By studying the effects of Fe3O4 particle size, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) concentration, and heating time on the superhydrophobicity of the materials, the directional regulation of superhydrophobicity and oil‐water separation performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@PMMA@PDMS materials was realized. The results showed that the material exhibited optimal performance when the Fe3O4 particle size combination was 20/500 nm/1 μm, the mass ratio of PDMS to Fe3O4@SiO2@PMMA was 7 : 1, and it was heated at 350°C for 1 minute. The coating achieved an apparent contact angle (APCA) of 158.7° and a rolling angle as low as 4.9°. This coating not only remained superhydrophobic after a 21 m abrasion test and 288 h immersion in acid, alkali, salt, and high‐temperature solutions, but also efficiently separated oil‐water mixtures and water‐in‐oil emulsions, and the separation efficiency for oil‐water mixtures of trichloromethane, dichloromethane and bromomethane was over 99.78 %, and that for water‐in‐oil emulsions was over 98.34 %. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic magnetic polyurethane (SFPU) sponge prepared using Fe3O4@SiO2@PMMA not only exhibited excellent oil‐absorbing capacity (11–28 g/g), but also realized precise oil absorption at multiple sites by magnetic conduction. In the actual oily wastewater test, the oil‐water separation efficiency of the sponge reached 90.58 % and the oil absorption capacity reached 17.03 g/g. This efficient oil‐water separation performance as well as oil adsorption capacity comes from the fact that the nonpolar molecules (e. g., −CH3) generated by the hydrolysis of PDMS can produce van der Waals adsorption with oil substances, while the excellent micro‐nanostructure of the coating surface greatly increases the contact area between oil droplets and the coating, which can make them adsorb or pass through quickly. This multifunctional coating and sponge had immense application potential in fields like offshore oil spill treatment, organic pollution control in water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unremitting pollution of our environment induced by crude oil spillage and drilling site accidents has jeopardized every living species in the biological ecosystem. Removing heavy crude oil constituents with the help of traditional and mainstream oil sorbents because of their ingrained raised viscosities is a strenuous venture. Lighter distillates of crude oil, like condensate, do not aggregate with tremulous shine on the aquatic surface nor settle at the bottom sediment of the water bodies like the heavier components do with time. Fabricating optimally designed materials capable of capturing, degrading, or removing toxic chemical constituents of this fossil fuel is critical in this modern era. This review comprehensively discusses the evolution of scientific technologies developed to separate these constituents from land and aquatic bodies. We provide an overview of the latest physical and chemical strategies and prevalent biological remediation schemes for removing these pollutants from soils and water for environmental protection. The article highlights the urgency of preventing oil spill accidents, whose anticipation is challenging to harness. A spectrum of advanced functional methodologies is also discussed to adequately treat discharged hydrocarbon contaminants, establish public safety, and pave the path to enhancing the circular economy metrics linked with oil industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'gas‒liquid‒solid' mechanism annealing method was used to create a superhydrophobic boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) stainless steel mesh in a tube furnace at 1250 °C in an NH3 environment. Fe powder was used as a catalyst, and B:B2O3 = 4:1 was used as the raw material. The water droplets on the surface of the superhydrophobic material had a contact angle of approximately 150° and a slide angle of approximately 3°. By using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technology, a three-dimensional braided physical model of nanodroplets and superhydrophobic BNNT mesh surfaces with the same contact angle and rolling angle was prepared via the function weaving method. The Weber number (We) was used as the entrance point to establish the relationship between macroscale experimental studies and nanoscale MD simulation analysis on the basis of these efforts. A study was conducted on the dynamic behaviour of droplets impacting a superhydrophobic BNNT filter surface. We suggest that the wettability, substrate structure, and impact velocity are connected to the impact dynamic behaviour of droplets on the basis of the data obtained at various scales. The findings demonstrate that when the droplet impact velocity increases, several droplet phenomena—such as impact–rebound, impact–spread–rebound, and impact–spread–breaking–polymerisation–spatter—appear on the substrate surface sequentially. The mechanism of impact behaviour at various scales is explained in light of these events. Furthermore, a better theoretical model is proposed to assess the droplet wetting transition at the nanoscale. This model accurately predicts the boundary Weber number that starts the wetting transition. Moreover, the connections among the impact velocity, spreading diameter, and contact time (or We) are examined. The tendencies found via MD simulations match the outcomes of the experiments. Our discoveries and outcomes broaden our understanding of how droplet impact affects the dynamic behaviour of superhydrophobic surfaces. A scientific foundation for examining the dynamic behaviour of droplets is provided by combining simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Durable superhydrophobic fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption were highly valuable in practical applications. In this work, durable superhydrophobic cotton fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption were successfully prepared by modifying the cotton fabrics with polydopamine (PDA) and then depositing MoS2/RGO (MR) composites and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The surface morphology, crystal structure, and thermal degradation properties of the obtained products were evaluated. The PDA modification enhanced the affinity and adsorption saturation between the fabrics and the MR composites. Here, the MR composites provided the fabrics with wave-absorbing components and rough micro/nanostructure, and the PDMS offered lower surface energy for the treated fabrics. Ultimately, the water contact angle (WCA) of the obtained cotton fabrics could reach 157.2 ± 0.4 ° and the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) was −45.3 dB at 11.1 GHz, which showed excellent superhydrophobicity and microwave absorption properties. In addition, the obtained cotton fabrics displayed excellent robustness against rubbing, bending, and laundrying and satisfactory chemical stability. This research showed promising prospects for the development of wearable materials with durable electromagnetic wave absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise manipulation of microdroplets on solid surfaces is crucial for the practical application and future development of microfluidic control technology. Traditionally, methods to achieve precise control over microdroplets often involve complex fabrication processes. Herein, the control of surface wettability is achieved based on the light‐ and heat‐responsive shape memory effect of the microstructure. An innovative superhydrophobic shape‐memory material with a simplified and efficient manufacturing process is proposed to precisely control microdroplets through surface wettability switching. Firstly, microplates with shape‐memory effects are manufactured using 4D printing technology and polylactic acid as the base material. Then, a mixture of carbon black and epoxy resin is sprayed onto the surface for superhydrophobic modification, resulting in a contact angle of up to 165°. The addition of carbon black endows the surface with excellent photothermal conversion effects. Anisotropy and photothermal response studies are incorporated. Through periodic heating, pressing, and deformation, the microplate array exhibits controllable wettability switching. Based on the shape‐memory effect of polylactic acid, the superhydrophobic surface has adjustable adhesion and is successfully applied to microfluidic platforms and microdroplet size screening. This innovative material and process offer significant potential for advancing the field of microfluidic control technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freezing phenomenon poses significant challenges in many fields, causing serious casualties and economic losses. Compared with traditional measures, active/passive coupled anti-deicing technology exhibits greater adaptability and effectiveness in diverse scenarios. Herein, an electrothermal/superhydrophobic coating featuring a sandwich structure was proposed for anti-deicing applications. Benefiting from the hydrophobic modified micro-nanostructure, this superhydrophobic coating boasted remarkable abilities to delay icing and repel water adhesion, rendering it ideal for combating freezing rain. Under a certain electrothermal power density, the coating could be heated quickly and evenly. Furthermore, it has proven to be highly capable of enduring prolonged continuous heating and rigorous high–low-temperature cycling tests, delivering exceptional performance. To evaluate its dynamic anti-icing performance, icing wind tunnel tests were conducted, which demonstrated that the coating can prevent freezing with the coupled electrothermal/superhydrophobic properties, even under harsh icing environments. This work would inspire the design of electrothermal/superhydrophobic anti-deicing coating with a sandwich structure and promote the practical engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nosocomial infections affect implanted medical devices and greatly challenge their functional outcomes, becoming sometimes life threatening for the patients. Therefore, aggressive antibiotic therapies are administered, which often require the use of last‐resort drugs, if the infection is caused by multi‐drug‐resistant bacteria. Reducing the risk of bacterial contamination of medical devices in the hospitals has thus become an emerging issue. Promising routes to control these infections are based on materials provided with intrinsic bactericidal properties (i.e., chemical action) and on the design of surface coatings able to limit bacteria adhesion and fouling phenomena (i.e., physical action), thus preventing bacterial biofilm formation. Here, we report the development and validation of coatings made of layer‐by‐layer deposition of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoro ethylene) P(VDF‐TrFE) fibers with controlled orientations, which ultimately gave rise to antifouling surfaces. The obtained 10‐layer surface morphology with 90° orientation fibers was able to efficiently prevent the adhesion of bacteria, by establishing a superhydrophobic‐like behavior compatible with the Cassie‐Baxter regimen. Moreover, the results highlighted that surface wettability and bacteria adhesion could be controlled using fibers with diameter comparable to bacteria size (i.e., achievable via electrospinning process), by tuning the intra‐fiber spacing, with relevant implications in the future design of biomedical surface coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting water from air offers a promising route to address the global challenge of water scarcity. However, bionic engineering surfaces for water harvesting often struggle with efficiently coordinating droplet nucleation and desorption. The recently emerging triboelectric effect at the liquid–solid interface offers a novel approach for developing bionic fog harvesting surfaces. In this study, inspired by Namib Desert beetles and lotus leaves, a biomimetic superhydrophobic surface with nanoscale hydrophilic domains is prepared via interfacial self‐assembly, exhibiting heterogeneous wettability for effective water harvesting. The essence of interfacial self‐assembly lies in the synergy of non‐covalent interaction forces, driving the self‐assembly of nanoparticles into surface micro‐nano hierarchical structures, thereby regulating wettability and increasing potential nucleation sites. Additionally, the triboelectric effect can directly utilize the triboelectric charges to facilitate droplet migration. The triboelectric effect can be generated by flexible mechanical input induced by walking, which enhances interfacial mass transfer, thereby rapidly improving droplet removal and achieving a 39.02% increase in water harvesting efficiency. This study has opened up a new breakthrough for the design of portable and efficient water harvesting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The further applications of silicon carbide (SiC) are limited due to the ease of being contaminated and tendency for icing at low temperature caused by its intrinsically hydrophilicity. In recent years, superhydrophobic surface has been widely employed due to the potential value in anti-fouling and passive anti-icing. In this work, a novel laser ablation-silicone oil heat treatment (LASH) composite process is proposed to fabricate superhydrophobic SiC surface. Many microscale "fence" structures and nanoscale "broccoli" fragmental structures are successfully obtained, which can be adjusted by using different laser processing parameters. Besides, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrates that the effective deposition of low surface energy chemical functional groups is the key to realize the superhydrophobic properties of SiC surface. The coupling effect between the micro/nano structures and low surface energy is confirmed to be important for the stability of Cassie-Baxter state at low temperature. In addition, the freezing process of water droplets on the LASH surface at low temperature and the mechanism of the rapid transition from Wenzel state to Cassie-Baxter state are analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the LASH surface possesses a longer static icing time and keeps good hydrophobicity at −5 °C. The icing temperature of the LASH surface decreases to −17.6 °C while the temperature of the untreated surface is −3.7 °C. Moreover, the LASH surface possesses a lower ice adhesion strength which means it is easier for the ice droplets to break away from the surface. After 20 cycles of icing-deicing experiments, the WCA of the LASH surface is still higher than 150° and its ice adhesion strength slightly increases to 240 kPa. Finally, the mechanical robustness of the LASH surface is studied through the abrasive belt and tape stripping tests, and the anti-fouling property is also evaluated. The change of ice adhesion strength on the LASH surface under cyclic icing experiment is analyzed. The experimental results show that the LASH surface has great mechanical durability and anti-fouling property, which is expected to further expand the application prospects of SiC in different fields. [Display omitted] • LASH composite process is developed to fabricate superhydrophobic silicon carbide surface. • Micro/nano structures and surface chemistry play important roles for superhydrophobicity. • Wettability of the surface can be controlled by adjusting the laser processing parameters. • LASH surface can achieve free transition from Wenzel state to Cassie-Baxter state. • LASH surface possesses excellent mechanical durability and anti-icing properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Intelligent shape memory polymer can be potentially used in manufacturing implantable devices that enables a benign variation of implant dimensions with the external stimuli, thus effectively lowering insertion forces and evading associated risks. However, in surgical implantation, biomaterials-associated infection has imposed a huge burden to healthcare system that urgently requires an efficacious replacement of antibiotic usages. Preventing the initial attachment and harvesting a biocidal function upon native surfaces may be deemed as a preferable strategy to tackle the issues of bacterial infection. Herein, a functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) composite membrane assembled with graphene (GE, a widely used photothermal agent) was fabricated through a blending process and then polydimethylsiloxane utilized as binders to pack hydrophobic SiO 2 tightly onto polymer surface (denoted as PLA-GE/SiO 2). Such an active platform exhibited a moderate shape-memory performance upon near-infrared (NIR) light stimulation, which was feasible for programmed deformation and shape recovery. Particularly stirring was that PLA-GE/SiO 2 exerted a pronounced bacteria-killing effect under NIR illumination, 99.9 % of E. coli and 99.8 % of S. aureus were effectively eradicated in a lean period of 5 min. Furthermore, the obtained composite membrane manifested excellent antiadhesive properties, resulting in a bacteria-repelling efficacy of up to 99 % for both E. coli and S. aureus species. These findings demonstrated the potential value of PLA-GE/SiO 2 as a shape-restorable platform in "kill&repel" integration strategy, further expanding its applications for clinical anti-infective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible strain sensors are of great significance in health monitoring, wearable electronic devices, intelligent robot sensing, and other fields. Most of the reported works focus on the enhancement of sensitivity or working range, while linearity is ignored and exhibits strong nonlinearity. Conflict among performances remains a serious challenge for the development of flexible strain sensors. Herein, inspired by the architecture of butterfly's wings, a strain sensor with double conductive layers and wrinkles/holes structures is proposed. The fabricated sensor shows a high linearity of >0.98 over a full working strain range of 120%, and a linearity of up to 0.999 within a strain range of 0%–30%. Apart from that, the sensor also presents a sensitivity of 8.28, high stability over 40 000 cycles when subjected to a full‐scale strain, as well as a water contact angle of >167.4°. Meanwhile, strains as low as 0.075% can be identified, while a maximum frequency of 40 Hz can be responded to for the sensor. It is demonstrated that the sensor is capable of enabling flexible grippers to sense and monitor the motions of underwater vehicles, indicating its greater potential for diverse applications, such as human–machine interaction, marine environmental protection, and biological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigating the adverse effects of corrosion failure and low-temperature icing on aluminum (Al) alloy materials poses significant research challenges. The facile fabrication of bioinspired superhydrophobic materials offers a promising solution to the issues of corrosion and icing. In this study, we utilized laboratory-collected candle soot (CS), hydrophobic fumed SiO2, and epoxy resin (EP) to create a HF-SiO2@CS@EP superhydrophobic coating on Al alloy surfaces using a spray-coating technique. Various characterization techniques, including contact angle meter, high-speed camera, FE-SEM, EDS, FTIR, and XPS, were employed to investigate surface wettability, morphologies, and chemical compositions. Moreover, a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was used as a corrosive medium to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the uncoated and coated samples. The results show that the capacitive arc radius, charge transfer resistance, and low-frequency modulus of the coated Al alloy significantly increased, while the corrosion potential (Ecorr) shifted positively and the corrosion current (Icorr) decreased by two orders of magnitude, indicating improved corrosion resistance. Additionally, an investigation of ice formation on the coated Al alloy at −10 °C revealed that the freezing time was 4.75 times longer and the ice adhesion strength was one-fifth of the uncoated Al alloy substrate, demonstrating superior delayed icing and reduced ice adhesion strength performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As maritime transport becomes increasingly important, metal corrosion results in significant economic losses. Superhydrophobic materials have significant potential for corrosion prevention. However, poor compatibility between superhydrophobic materials and resin reduces the long‐term corrosion resistance. Interfacial strengthening cells (IS‐Cells) are designed to maintain superhydrophobicity and retain active hydroxyl groups participating in resin‐curing. IS‐Cells also contribute to achieving the maze effect. A novel anti‐corrosion IS coating is fabricated by compatible IS‐Cells and epoxy. IS coatings feature smooth surfaces and vertical compactness, protecting against liquid and gaseous corrosive medium. Strong diffusion resistance and extended diffusion distance ensure long‐term corrosion resistance of IS coatings. Approximately 85 µm of IS coatings remain corrosion‐free after 112 days of immersion in the NaCl solution. The low‐frequency impedance, self‐corrosion potential, and self‐corrosion current density are 1.68 × 109 Ω cm2, −0.0708 V, and 5.38 × 10−11 A cm−2, respectively. IS coatings can also withstand 2400 h of neutral salt spray testing without corrosion in the artificial scratches. Due to the electrostatic repulsion between the hydrophobic C–F chains onto IS‐Cells and protein molecules, IS coatings maintain anti‐fouling properties after dry‐wet immersion tests in the natural marine environment for 90 days. IS coatings show great potential for marine anti‐corrosion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Energy consumption from air cooling systems in summer, water scarcity in hot regions, and the functional reusability of waste paper are emerging environmental problems. Finding solutions to these problems simultaneously remains a significant challenge. Herein, a superhydrophobic passive cooling Cellulose-CaCO 3 film with hierarchical nano-sheets was fabricated to realize daytime radiative cooling with a temperature drop of 15–20 °C in summer and water harvesting with harvesting efficiency of 387 mg cm−2h−1 bd utilization of recycled waste paper. The superhydrophobic Cellulose-CaCO 3 film demonstrates its self-cleaning properties against inorganic and organic pollutants. Furthermore, the superhydrophobicity of the film was maintained after base/acid corrosions, dynamic water flushing, and thermal treatment at 100 °C for 7 h, exhibiting good durability of the superhydrophobicity. Moreover, the superhydrophobic Cellulose-CaCO 3 film is nonflammable after exposure to fire combustion for 1 min. In addition to waste paper, waste maize straws, and pasteboards were also collected to produce superhydrophobic passive cooling films. Results indicate that the above three cellulose-based raw materials can be well used to prepare durable superhydrophobic passive cooling materials. Environmental toxicology assessments confirm the safety of the material. This study not only provides a protocol for preparing superhydrophobic materials; but also demonstrates their potential for passive cooling and water harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The demand for superhydrophobic fabric with self‐cleaning and antibacterial features as potential practical applications has been rising steadily with the passage of time. In this research work, the wet chemical method is used to manufacture cotton with a superhydrophobic coating. Thus, Nanoparticles of silver were produced by using an in situ method. Afterward, the fabric is treated with a solution of perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane to make it superhydrophobic. The cotton fabric performs remarkably with exceptional hydrophobicity as it had a contact angle of 157 ± 1° and less than 10° in sliding angle. Water droplet's dynamic behavior is also studied so that the superhydrophobic fabric development can be proven. The fabric shows excellent chemical durability by performing chemical tests. The antimicrobial and self‐cleaning properties are greatly enhanced by the superhydrophobic coating on cotton. Particle density on the superhydrophobic cotton before and after self‐cleaning was found 5.1 and 0.4 mg/cm2. In addition, the treated cotton fabric also exhibited superior antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli bacteria. Therefore, the developed multifunctional cotton fabric can be used in real‐life applications. Highlights: Cotton fabric enables to repelling of dirt, oil, and water‐based stains more effectively.Silver nanoparticles possess potent antibacterial properties.Incorporation of PFOTS controls the release of silver into the environment.Versatile applications from healthcare and hospitality to outdoor and athletic apparel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents the development of a surface treatment for AZ91D magnesium alloy that exhibits both superhydrophobic and anticorrosive properties. Initially, a zinc-based phosphate film was deposited on the magnesium alloy surface. Subsequently, a composite coating with superhydrophobic properties was produced by surface modification using a fluorosilane-ethanol solution. The composite coating's microstructure, chemical composition, wettability, self-cleaning, and anti-corrosion properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, a contact angle measurement instrument, and an electrochemical workstation. The results demonstrated that the main components of the composite coating were P, O, Zn, F, and C. The static contact angle reached 158°, providing superior self-cleaning and acid and alkali corrosion resistance. Additionally, the charge transfer resistance and coating resistance of the composite coating were significantly higher than those of the magnesium alloy substrate, effectively preventing corrosion and preserving the surface from fouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The ‘gas‒liquid‒solid’ mechanism annealing method was used to create a superhydrophobic boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) stainless steel mesh in a tube furnace at 1250 °C in an NH3 environment. Fe powder was used as a catalyst, and B:B2O3 = 4:1 was used as the raw material. The water droplets on the surface of the superhydrophobic material had a contact angle of approximately 150° and a slide angle of approximately 3°. By using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technology, a three-dimensional braided physical model of nanodroplets and superhydrophobic BNNT mesh surfaces with the same contact angle and rolling angle was prepared via the function weaving method. The Weber number (We) was used as the entrance point to establish the relationship between macroscale experimental studies and nanoscale MD simulation analysis on the basis of these efforts. A study was conducted on the dynamic behaviour of droplets impacting a superhydrophobic BNNT filter surface. We suggest that the wettability, substrate structure, and impact velocity are connected to the impact dynamic behaviour of droplets on the basis of the data obtained at various scales. The findings demonstrate that when the droplet impact velocity increases, several droplet phenomena—such as impact–rebound, impact–spread–rebound, and impact–spread–breaking–polymerisation–spatter—appear on the substrate surface sequentially. The mechanism of impact behaviour at various scales is explained in light of these events. Furthermore, a better theoretical model is proposed to assess the droplet wetting transition at the nanoscale. This model accurately predicts the boundary Weber number that starts the wetting transition. Moreover, the connections among the impact velocity, spreading diameter, and contact time (or We) are examined. The tendencies found via MD simulations match the outcomes of the experiments. Our discoveries and outcomes broaden our understanding of how droplet impact affects the dynamic behaviour of superhydrophobic surfaces. A scientific foundation for examining the dynamic behaviour of droplets is provided by combining simulations and experiments.

Microwave absorption (MA) materials are essential for protecting against harmful electromagnetic radiation. In this study, highly efficient and ultrawide-band microwave-absorbing fabrics with superhydrophobic surface features were developed using a facile dip-coating method involving in situ graphene oxide (GO) reduction, deposition of TiO2 nanoparticles, and subsequent coating of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and octadecylamine (ODA) on polyester fabrics. Owing to the presence of hierarchically structured surfaces and low-surface-energy materials, the resultant reduced GO (rGO)/TiO2-ODA/PDMS-coated fabrics demonstrate superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 159° and sliding angle of 5°. Under the synergistic effects of conduction loss, interface polarization loss, and surface roughness topography, the optimized fabrics show excellent microwave absorbing performances with a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −47.4 dB and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EABmax) of 7.7 GHz at a small rGO loading of 6.9 wt%. In addition, the rGO/TiO2-ODA/PDMS coating was robust, and the coated fabrics could withstand repeated washing, soiling, long-term ultraviolet irradiation, and chemical attacks without losing their superhydrophobicity and MA properties. Moreover, the coating imparts self-healing properties to the fabrics. This study provides a promising and effective route for the development of robust and flexible materials with microwave-absorbing properties.

Abstract The demand for superhydrophobic fabric with self‐cleaning and antibacterial features as potential practical applications has been rising steadily with the passage of time. In this research work, the wet chemical method is used to manufacture cotton with a superhydrophobic coating. Thus, Nanoparticles of silver were produced by using an in situ method. Afterward, the fabric is treated with a solution of perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane to make it superhydrophobic. The cotton fabric performs remarkably with exceptional hydrophobicity as it had a contact angle of 157 ± 1° and less than 10° in sliding angle. Water droplet's dynamic behavior is also studied so that the superhydrophobic fabric development can be proven. The fabric shows excellent chemical durability by performing chemical tests. The antimicrobial and self‐cleaning properties are greatly enhanced by the superhydrophobic coating on cotton. Particle density on the superhydrophobic cotton before and after self‐cleaning was found 5.1 and 0.4 mg/cm2. In addition, the treated cotton fabric also exhibited superior antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli bacteria. Therefore, the developed multifunctional cotton fabric can be used in real‐life applications. Highlights Cotton fabric enables to repelling of dirt, oil, and water‐based stains more effectively. Silver nanoparticles possess potent antibacterial properties. Incorporation of PFOTS controls the release of silver into the environment. Versatile applications from healthcare and hospitality to outdoor and athletic apparel.

[Display omitted] • Magnetic responsive superhydrophobic surfaces with switchable cilia morphology. • Vertical surface has high contact angle and low water adhesion. • Curved surface has low ice adhesion and excellent robustness. • Multi-layer structure on crossed surface has delayed icing capability. • High potential for improving anti-icing adaptability in varying climates. This research aims to address the negative impact of global climate change on equipment stability, with a particular focus on the occurrence of icing on working surfaces at low temperature. To this end, we have developed a novel magnetically responsive superhydrophobic surface to enhance anti-icing properties and adapt to environmental changes. We prepared magnetically responsive micro-cilia arrays (MRMAs) with good flexibility and magnetostriction through a facile spray gun coating technique. By adjusting the application mode and distance of the magnetic field, three different morphologies can be achieved: vertical, curved and crossed, thus optimizing water repellency, active anti-icing and passive anti-icing performance. Experimental data show that vertical MRMAs exhibit extremely high contact angles and low droplet adhesion, which facilitates rapid water droplet removal, while curved MRMAs exhibit the lowest ice adhesion strength, which effectively reduces the likelihood of ice formation. In addition, the crossed MRMAs excelled in delaying icing, significantly prolonging the time before water droplets begin to freeze. This research not only provides a novel anti-icing strategy, but also offers new ideas for designing multifunctional surfaces that can adapt to complex environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, PTDF composite hydrogel based on SiO 2 @PDA, F-HNT and PVA/PAM/TA/TiC hydrogel is investigated to achieve stable superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning and anti-fouling, excellent stretchability, sensitive conductivity, and applied to motion signal detection. [Display omitted] • A composite hydrogel was fabricated. • SiO 2 @PDA acting as an interlayer adhesive. • The surface is superhydrophobic. • The output signal can still be stabilized. With the advent of the information age, there is a growing demand for wearable sensing devices. Conventional hydrogels are a class of materials that can hold a large amount of water, with a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymerization chains inside. In remote areas or harsh environments, there is an urgent demand for a flexible sensor that is environmentally stable, wearable, and has high mechanical properties. Due to the hydrophilicity of the traditional hydrogel surface, it is easy to adsorb dust or be contaminated by liquid, which limits its further application. As a result, the superhydrophobic hydrogel F-PTD was designed using SiO 2 @PDA, F-HNT and PT hydrogel. TGA, XPS, SEM, EDS, FT-IR was used to characterize the structure of F-PTD, respectively. Based on the study of mussels, the adhesion property of polydopamine was utilized as an adhesion agent between organic–inorganic interfaces while improving the roughness of the hydrogel surface. The fabricated F-PTD superhydrophobic conductive hydrogels have excellent stretchability (Tensile Strain > 500 %), stable hydrophobicity (CA > 150°), and sensitive electrical conductivity (GF = 3.49). The contact angle of F-PTD is greater than 150° for tensile strains in the range of 0–350 %, and it maintains superhydrophobic under corrosive solutions with pH = 1–14. This enables F-PTD to perform the sensing function of detecting human body signals under complex environmental conditions, which has great potential for application in the field of underwater rescue, wearable electronics and human–computer interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]