High Wettability Research Articles

Changes in the peel strength between the painting and first lining papers in Japanese scroll model samples

To maintain the permanence of a painting in a hanging scroll until subsequent repairs are made, inhibiting not only the deterioration of the painting and lining papers but also inhibiting decrease in the adhesiveness between them is important because the first lining process significantly influences the mechanical support to the painting paper by attachment. Several studies have been conducted on the deterioration attributed to each component of the lining system. This study evaluated the adhesiveness behaviour by peel strength in the lined complex depending on the painting and lining materials with varied concentrations, as well as the fibre type of the lining paper. The lined complex consisting of the untreated painting paper showed the highest initial peel strength owing to the significant cohesiveness of the wheat starch paste layer, which was attributed to the paper's higher wettability and permeability, even though substrate failure occurred with longer ageing times. Degradative materials such as Cu2+ attributed to pigments in the painting paper decomposed starch and decreased adhesiveness the fastest. Lined complexes coated with animal glue containing alum or Cu2+ in the painting paper maintained the lowest peel strength during ageing owing to lower wettability and permeability, resulting in interfacial failure between the animal glue and the wheat starch paste layer. In addition, adhesiveness varied with different fibre types of the lining paper, depending on combined factors such as fibre length, surface roughness, shape, and intensity of hydroxyl groups. Thus, variable conditions attributed to fibre characteristics, materials used for lining, and degradative products in the painting paper influenced the changes in adhesion and adhesiveness. This variation contributed to different lining effects that influenced the life expectancy of the hanging scroll and determined the efficiency of the subsequent repair work.

Influence of highly dispersed phase of titanium carbide on physical and mechanical properties of alloys AM4.5Kd and AK10M2N

Dispersion-strengthened composite materials belong to the group of promising structural materials characterized by a diverse combination of properties. The work presents examples of the creation and heat treatment of composite materials based on aluminum alloys, strengthened by a dispersed phase of titanium carbide, and characterized by high hardness, elastic modulus and good wettability by the melt. The most accessible, inexpensive and effective way to obtain them is self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS).The work shows the possibility of obtaining new aluminum matrix composite materials based on industrial aluminum alloys AM4.5Kd and AK10M2N by reinforcing them with 10 wt.% highly dispersed titanium carbide or AM4.5Kd–5.95 vol.% TiC and AK10M2N–5.78 vol.% TiC. The reinforcing phase is formed in alloy melts using the technology of SHS from the initial elemental components—titanium powder and carbon black. Using the obtained samples, an assessment was made of the uniformity of the ceramic phase distribution over the volume of the matrix alloys, which amounted to 0.15 and 0.12 for the samples AM4.5Kd–10%TiC and AK10M2N–10%TiC, respectively, which constitutes a high degree of uniformity.An assessment was made of physical properties such as porosity, density, electrical conductivity, as well as the coefficient of thermal linear expansion. Analysis of the data allows us to say that the final composite materials AM4.5Kd–10%TiC and AK10M2N–10%TiC have a slightly higher density (↑~4%) than the matrix alloys, due to the presence of a ceramic phase, low porosity values (~1%), lower TCLE (↓~6%) than matrix alloys and low electrical conductivity (~25% IACS). This article also presents data on the values of the mechanical properties of composite materials AM4.5Kd–10%TiC and AK10M2N–10%TiC. It has been shown that reinforcement with a ceramic phase contributes to a significant increase in hardness by 15 and 42 HB, as well as higher values of the compressive yield strength by 31 and 17 MPa, respectively, while maintaining a high level of relative deformation. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the developed composite materials can be recommended for products used under conditions of elevated temperatures and significant wear.

Hydrophilic Ultra-Fine SiC Nanowires Enhance the Performance of Hydrated Salt Phase-Change Energy Storage Materials.

In this study, ultrafine linear nanostructured SiC with high wettability and large specific surface area were synthesized via the carbothermal reduction method. These nanowires were impregnated with Na2SO4 ⋅ 10H2O, CaCl2 ⋅ 6H2O, MgCl2 ⋅ 6H2O, and CaMg2Cl6 ⋅ 12H2O to obtain composite phase change materials (CPCMs), which demonstrated improved phase separation and significantly reduced supercooling. In particular, the supercooling degree of CaCl2 ⋅ 6H2O was minimized to 0.1 °C. The SiC nanowires effectively prevented issues of dehydration and deliquescence in hydrated salts. The thermal storage capacities of the CPCMs exceeded 90 %, with Na2SO4 ⋅ 10H2O and MgCl2 ⋅ 6H2O reaching 107.10 % and 103.35 %, respectively. Furthermore, the CPCMs exhibited greater sensitivity to changes in temperature compared with the pure hydrated salt phase change materials (PCMs). These results indicate that ultra-fine SiC nanowires can act as a versatile carrier for hydrated salt PCMs at low and intermediate temperatures.

Lithium-ion comb—artificial self-regulating lithium-storage film on aluminum anode enabling long cycles of batteries

Al anode can increase battery energy density, but its non-wettability and high Li nucleation hindrance cause uneven Li nucleation to deteriorate the anode structure. Herein, we present a novel in-situ synthesis method for the deposition of molybdenum oxide nanospheres (NMO) onto the surface of Al foil, that is, molybdenum oxide/aluminum (M-Al), which demonstrates a two-stage propulsion effect on Li-ion migration to address the issue at hand. The high wettability and low Li nucleation hindrance of the NMO layer drive the first stage of Li-ion migration. NMO acted as a comb to deliver Li ions uniformly with minor volume expansion. Subsequently, the formation of Li2O-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film with exceptional desolvation capability, facilitated by the NMO layer and electrochemically activated M-Al to Li molybdate/aluminum (Li-M-Al), represents the second stage in the advancement of Li−ion migration. The embedding of lithium ions makes molybdenum oxide evolve into lithium molybdate, thereby enabling Mo to regulate the storage of Li ions through the valence state. Hence, the Li nucleation overpotential of M-Al is decreased by 0.32 V, leading to a significant enhancement in the cycling performance of the Li-M-Al||LiFePO4 (LFP) battery, with a capacity retention rate of 78.5 % after 400 cycles at 1C.

Preparation and characterization of high performance super activated carbon based on coupled coal/sargassum precursors

High electrochemical performance supercapacitors require activated carbon with high specific surface area, suitable pore size distribution and surface properties, and high electrical conductivity as electrode materials, whereas there exists a trade-off relationship between specific surface area and electrical conductivity, which is not well met by a single type of carbon source. To solve this problem, the coal and sargassum are adopted to obtain the coupling product via co-thermal dissolution, followed by carbonization and KOH activation. The effects of mixing mass ratio and activation temperature on the prepared activated carbon (AC) are investigated using single factor experimental method. The experimental results show that AC1/3-800 has abundant micropore and mesopore content, good pore structure connectivity, high electrical conductivity and good wettability, and superior electrochemical properties compared with other activated carbons prepared in this experiment. Its total specific surface area is up to 2098.5 m2·g–1, the pore volume is up to 1.33 cm3·g–1, the content of mespores with diameter of 6–8 nm is significantly increased, and the pore size distribution is wide and uniform. When the current density increases from 0.1 A·g–1 to 10 A·g–1, the gravimetric capacitance decreases from 219 F·g–1 to 186 F·g–1 with a capacitance retention of 84.9%, the equivalent series resistance is very small, and the rate performance and reversibility of charging and discharging have also been excellent.

Numerical study on parametric correlations and regional applicability of a cross-flow indirect evaporative cooler

The indirect Evaporative Cooler (IEC) utilizes exhaust air from air-conditioned spaces to precondition outdoor air, offering a low-carbon and efficient solution for cooling the air and expanding its application scope. This study developed a mathematical model of IEC, considering the effects of primary air condensation and channel wettability. The correlations of eight parameters on evaluation indexes were analyzed to rank their influence for IEC, revealing that outdoor climate, indoor air conditions, geometric shape, and channel wettability are the main factors affecting cooling efficiency and energy recovery capacity. Subsequently, a comparison of the temperature and humidity distribution inside the IEC under high and low wettability showed that under high-wettability, the cooling effect of the IEC for primary air increased by 23.7 %, and the dehumidification capacity improved by 52.9 %. The performance study of the IEC across seven geographical regions in China indicates that cities with a wet-bulb efficiency greater than 45 % are predominantly located in Northwest China and North China. East China, Central China, and South China exhibit significantly higher average condensation coefficients and cooling capacities compared to other areas, with values of 2.36, 2.26, and 2.56 for the condensation coefficients, and 14.2 kW, 14.7 kW, and 14.9 kW for the cooling capacities, respectively.

Solid‐Liquid‐Gas Three‐Phase Indirect Electrolysis Enabled by Affinity Auxiliary Imparted Covalent Organic Frameworks

The design of efficient heterogenous redox mediators with favorable affinity to substrate and electrolyte are much desired yet still challenging for the development of indirect electrolysis system. Herein, for the first time, we have developed a solid‐liquid‐gas three‐phase indirect electrolysis system based on a covalent organic framework (Dha‐COF‐Cu) as heterogenous redox mediator for S‐S coupling reaction. Dha‐COF‐Cu with the integration of high porosity, nanorod morphology, abundant hydroxyl groups and active Cu sites is much beneficial for the adsorption/activation of thiols, uniform dispersion and high wettability in electrolyte, and efficient interfacial electron transfer. Notably, Dha‐COF‐Cu as solid‐phase redox mediator exhibits excellent electrocatalytic efficiency for the formation of value‐added liquid‐phase S‐S bond product (yields up to 99%) coupling with the generation of gas‐phase product of H2 (~1.40 mmol g‐1 h‐1), resulting in a powerful three‐phase indirect electrolysis system. This is the first work about COFs that can be applied in three‐phase indirect electrolysis system, which might promote the development of porous crystalline materials in this field.

Biomimetic Layered Hydrogel Coating for Enhanced Lubrication and Load-Bearing Capacity

Biomimetic hydrogel lubrication coatings with high wettability and low friction show great promise in tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, and intelligent sensing. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of natural cartilage, a layered hydrogel coating was constructed to functionalize rigid polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The layered hydrogel coating features a structural design comprising a top soft layer and a middle robust layer. The porous structure of the top soft hydrogel layer stores water molecules, providing surface lubrication, while the dense structure of the middle robust hydrogel layer offers load-bearing capacity. These synergistic effects of the gradient hydrogel layer endow the PEEK substrate with an ultra-low coefficient of friction (COF~0.010 at 5 N load), good load-bearing capacity (COF~0.031 at 10 N load), and excellent wear resistance (COF < 0.05 at 5 N load after 20,000 sliding cycles). This study introduces a novel design paradigm for robust hydrogel coatings with exceptional lubricity, displaying the potential application in cartilage replacement materials.

A hydrophilic porous graphene aerogel electrode with a large specific surface area for high-performance all-aqueous thermally regenerative batteries

All-aqueous thermally regenerative batteries (ATRBs) have shown great potential in harvesting low-grade waste heat. In this study, a hydrophilic porous graphene aerogel (GA) electrode developed by an ice template was developed for ATRBs to enhance electricity generation. The physicochemical property of GA was analyzed by traditional characterization. The main functional group of GA was N–H, which offered ATRBs a high hydrophilic surface. As a result of the ice templates, the diameter of pores in GA was almost lower than 4 nm, which provided a high specific area and good wettability. In addition, density functional theory calculations were carried out to verify the superiority of good electrical conductivity and strong adsorption on the cupric ions. Therefore, ATRB with GA achieved a competitive performance (a peak power density of 432 W/m2), illustrating great potential in the future thermoelectricity conversion application.

From Nanotechnology to Oilfields: the Potential of Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions in Preflush Fluids for a Sustainable Alternative

Objective: The objective of this study is to contextualize the advancements in the application of micro- and nanoemulsions in preflush fluids within the oil industry. Theoretical Framework: The study draws upon concepts in nanotechnology and fluid dynamics, focusing on the role of preflush fluids in wellbore cleaning and rock wettability adjustment. Method: A bibliometric analysis and review of the literature were conducted. The bibliometric analysis included 145 keywords and 382 articles related to preflush fluids in the oil industry, published between 2003 and 2023. The data were analyzed and visualized using VOSviewer. Results and Discussion: The results revealed fluctuations in the number of publications on this topic over the years. The bibliometric review highlighted the evolution of preflush fluid formulations, particularly those involving micro- and nanoemulsion systems. These fluids demonstrated high oil solubilization capacity and wettability reversal, effectively addressing formation stability issues. Research Implications: The findings underscore the significance of micro- and nanoemulsion systems in enhancing the efficiency and environmental sustainability of preflush fluids used in oil extraction operations. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in preflush fluid formulations, emphasizing the sustainable potential of micro- and nanoemulsions in the oil industry.

Forming Epoxy Coatings on Laser-Engraved Surface of Aluminum Alloy to Reinforce the Bonding Joint with a Carbon Fiber Composite

This study designed laser engraving and resin pre-coating (RPC) treatments on an aluminum alloy (AA) surface to construct through-the-thickness “epoxy pins” for improving the bonding strength with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). A laser engraving treatment was used to create a pitted structure on the AA surface; higher wettability was acquired and greater vertical spaces were formed to impregnate epoxy resin, resulting in stronger mechanical interlocking. The RPC technique was further used to guide high-viscosity epoxy resin into pits to form the epoxy coatings and to minimize defects between the resin and the substrate. The bonding strength of the specimen treated with both laser engraving with a unit dimension of 0.3 mm and RPC increased up to 227.1% in comparison with that of the base. The failure modes of the hybrid composites changed from the debonding failure of the AA surface to the delamination-dominated failure of the laminated CFRP composites. It was confirmed that laser engraving is a feasible and effective method when combined with RPC for treating AAs to improve the bonding strength of AA-CFRP composites, which provides a reference for preparing high-performance hybrid composites with metals.

A novel formulation of an eco-friendly calcium nitrate-based heavy completion fluid

Calcium-nitrate-based transparent completion fluids are widely used in the oil and gas industry for well completion and stimulation operations in carbonate reservoirs. These fluids have many advantages, such as medium density, low corrosion, good temperature stability, low clay swelling, and high wettability. However, the density of calcium nitrate brine is limited by its solubility, which can be increased by the addition of alcohols. This study investigated the effects of adding different types of alcohols (G1, G2, and G3) to calcium nitrate brine on the properties and performance of the completion fluid for carbonate reservoirs. The fluid properties and performance were evaluated through a series of laboratory tests, including density measurement, corrosion test, viscosity measurement, rheology test, temperature stability test, clay swelling test, wettability test, and compatibility test. The results showed that the addition of alcohols to brine can improve or reduce the fluid density, viscosity, corrosion, temperature stability, clay swelling, wettability, and compatibility, depending on the type and amount of alcohols. The optimum fluids have been selected based on their highest density, lowest viscosity, lowest corrosion, highest temperature stability, lowest clay swelling, highest wettability change, and highest compatibility with formation fluids. The densities of the fluids CN4, CNG14, CNG24, and CNG34 were respectively 96, 101, 101.5, and 100 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). Their rates of corrosion on L80 steel were respectively 0.829, 0.589, 0.720, and 0.599 mils per year (mpy). Their apparent viscosities at 62.4 °F were respectively around 15, 120, 100, and 60 centipoise (cp). Their apparent viscosities at 176 °F were all around 10 to 25 mpy. The fluids remained clear with no evidence of suspended solid particles at 20 °F, indicating their resilience to low-temperature conditions and suitability for use in cold weather operations. The fluid CNG24 becomes cloudy at 285 °F, and the fluid CNG34 becomes cloudy from 212 °F onward, but the CN4 fluid remains clear and transparent at all temperatures. In the tested high temperatures, the effect on their pH was around the same. The fluids CN4, CNG24, and CNG34 had a lower swelling index than 5 ml per 2 g of bentonite clay. The contact angles of oil and carbonate-type thin sections after their wettabilities were affected by the fluids were also 99.5, 36.54, and 46.03°, respectively. Finally, they’re all relatively compatible with formation fluids. The best completion fluid for carbonate reservoirs was CNG24, which contained calcium nitrate and G2 alcohol. This fluid had the best overall performance and safety of the fluids tested.

The Role of Surface Energy and Wettability in Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Enhancing Bioadhesion and Drug Release Efficiency

Polymer-based drug delivery systems are pivotal in advancing the precision and efficacy of modern therapeutics. Among the key factors influencing these systems, surface energy and wettability are crucial in determining their interaction with biological tissues and drug release behavior. Surface energy, which governs the adhesive properties of the polymers, plays a significant role in bioadhesion—a critical aspect for drug delivery routes that require prolonged contact with biological surfaces, such as mucosal membranes. Wettability, the extent to which a polymer surface can be wetted by biological fluids, influences both drug loading efficiency and release kinetics. Hydrophilic polymers, characterized by high wettability, typically facilitate rapid drug release, whereas hydrophobic polymers, with low wettability, offer controlled, prolonged release profiles. Additionally, the balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity is essential for optimizing drug-polymer interactions, particularly in systems designed for sustained or targeted drug delivery. Advances in surface modification techniques have enabled precise control over these parameters, allowing for the customization of polymers to meet specific therapeutic requirements. This review discusses the interplay between surface energy, wettability, and drug delivery performance, highlighting how these properties have been manipulated to enhance bioadhesion, drug retention, and release profiles. The review also addresses the challenges in designing polymer wettability, such as maintaining stability, scalability, and regulatory compliance. Finally, it explores emerging trends, including stimuli-responsive polymers and nanotechnology integration, which hold promise for the next generation of drug delivery systems that are more efficient, targeted, and patient-specific, than current systems.

Addition of a Polar, Porous Phase-Inversion-PVDF Membrane to Lithium–Sulfur Cells (LSBs) Already with a Microporous Polypropylene Separator Enhances the Battery Performance

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are widely studied as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, this emphasis being due to their high theoretical energy density and low cost, and to the high natural abundance of sulfur. Lithium polysulfide shuttling and lithium dendrite growth have limited their commercialization. Porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) separators have shown improved performance (relative to hydrocarbon separators) in lithium-ion batteries due to faster lithium-ion migration and higher Li+ transference number. A thin polar PVDF membrane has now been fabricated via phase inversion (an immersion-precipitation method) yielding a β (polar) phase concentration of 72%. Preparation from commercial PVDF used dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent at the optimized crystallizing temperature of 70 °C, and pores in the membrane were generated by exchange of DMF with deionized water as non-solvent. The polar PVDF film produced has the advantages of being ultrathin (15 µm), lightweight (1.15 mg cm−2), of high porosity (75%) and high wettability (84%), and it shows enhanced thermal stability relative to polypropylene (PP). The porous, polar PVDF membrane was combined with a commercially available PP membrane to give a hybrid, two-layer, separator combination for LSBs. A synergy was created in the two-layer separator, providing high sulfur utilization and curbing polysulfide shuttling. The electrochemical performance with the hybrid separator (PP–β-PVDF) was evaluated in LSB cells and showed good cyclability and rate capability: those LSB cells showed a stable capacity of 750 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 C, much higher than that for otherwise-identical cells using a commercial PP-only separator (480 mA h g−1).

Ionic conductivity and hydrogen permeability of microporous polysulfone membranes grafted by acrylic acid

Energy losses and purity of product gases in alkaline water electrolysis strongly depend on properties of a separator positioned between the electrodes. This paper reports on heterogeneous separators based on microporous polysulfone membranes modified by graft co-polymerization of acrylic acid. After neutralization with KOH, the pores of the modified membranes were filled with potassium polyacrylate, a superabsorbent material forming hydrogel upon intake of an aqueous electrolyte. Under electrolysis conditions of 50 °C and atmospheric pressure, increasing amount of hydrogel in pores suppresses hydrogen permeability without apparent reduction of ionic conductivity. We have identified the product of ionic resistance and hydrogen flux as a suitable parameter to compare performance of separators of various thickness. In terms of this parameter, present separators surpass the performance of Zirfon™ Perl UTP 500 tested under the identical conditions. Ex-situ aging test in 30 wt% KOH at 60 °C has revealed preservation of high wettability for up to 1340 h.

Rapidly reversible superwettability on textured metallic surfaces

Reversible superwettability on non-coated metallic surfaces has a broad range of engineering applications, yet achieving a rapid reverse of superwettability is still technically challenging on different metals. Here we show that rapid transition between superhydrophobicity (SHB) /hydrophobicity (HB) and superhydrophilicity (SHL) within tens of minutes can be achieved on femtosecond laser-treated Al surfaces with the assistance of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and direct-current (DC) sputtering, overcoming traditional challenges posed by Al₂O3 in wettability conversion. The extremely high wettability conversion rate on Al surfaces was found to be related to the formation of textured amorphous metal oxides, whose relative content of oxygen vacancies (OVs) can be more easily changed. In the process of wettability change, there is a linear correlation between the metal surface potential and the cosine value of the contact angle. Our findings provide a versatile approach for designing metal surfaces with rapidly reversible superwettability, enabling various applications such as oil–water separations and the controlled release of hydrophilic drugs.

Reliability Risk Mitigation in Advanced Packages by Aging-Induced Precipitation of Bi in Water-Quenched Sn-Ag-Cu-Bi Solder.

Bi-doped Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) microelectronic solder is gaining attention for its utility as a material for solder joints that connect substrates to printed circuit boards (PCB) in future advanced packages, as Bi-doped SAC is reported to have a lower melting temperature, higher strength, higher wettability on conducting pads, and lower intermetallic compound (IMC) formation at the solder-pad interface. As solder joints are subjected to aging during their service life, an investigation of aging-induced changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the solder alloy is needed before its wider acceptance in advanced packages. This study focuses on the effects of 1 to 3 wt.% Bi doping in an Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solder alloy on aging-induced changes in hardness and creep resistance for samples prepared by high cooling rates (>5 °C/s). The specimens were aged at ambient and elevated temperatures for up to 90 days and subjected to quasistatic nanoindentation to determine hardness and nanoscale dynamic nanoindentation to determine creep behavior. The microstructural evolution was investigated with a scanning electron microscope in tandem with energy-dispersive spectroscopy to correlate with aging-induced property changes. The hardness and creep strength of the samples were found to increase as the Bi content increased. Moreover, the hardness and creep strength of the 0-1 wt.% Bi-doped SAC305 was significantly reduced with aging, while that of the 2-3 wt.% Bi-doped SAC305 increased with aging. The changes in these properties with aging were correlated to the interplay of multiple hardening and softening mechanisms. In particular, for 2-3 wt.% Bi, the enhanced performance was attributed to the potential formation of additional Ag3Sn IMCs with aging due to non-equilibrium solidification and the more uniform distribution of Bi precipitates. The observations that 2-3 wt.% Bi enhances the hardness and creep strength of the SAC305 alloy with isothermal aging to mitigate reliability risks is relevant for solder samples prepared using high cooling rates.

Effect of wettability on the void formation during liquid infusion into fibers

AbstractLiquid composite molding (LCM) is a promising option for low‐cost manufacturing of high‐performance composites compared to traditional prepreg‐autoclave methods. Void formation may be the most significant roadblock to such adaptation of LCM. In this article, the hypothesis that higher wettability, that is, lower contact angles of liquid on solids, would lead to lower void content for LCM is tested. First, a theory that calculates the energy required to form a bubble with varying contact angles is formulated by considering interfacial energy differences of a system with and without it. To experimentally prove this hypothesis, six different carbon fiber reinforcement samples were prepared each with a different fiber surface treatment. The wettability from the surface treatments was evaluated with contact angle measurements based on capillary rise between two fiber yarns. Void formation in situ during infusion was evaluated by a series of 1D infusion experiments using the same six surface modifications. Of the six samples, the reinforcements coated with fluorinated alkane and aminosilane showed the highest wettability and lowest void content, confirming that a lower contact angle can reduce the formation of voids during the infusion process.Highlights Higher wettability was correlated with less bubble (void) formation. Theoretical model and LCM experimental confirmation. Various surface modifications of carbon fibers tested. Potential application: enhancement of properties from LCM manufactured parts.

Corrosion study of CA-PVD coated perforation cutter blades of different metallurgies used for liquid shampoo packaging

Perforation cutters must tackle aggressive corrosion and wear while filling sachets/pouches containing shampoo liquids and conditioners. The present work aims to enhance the durability of the perforation cutters through the application of PVD coatings. Further, this study investigates the role of surface energy and wettability to understand the corrosion behavior of different cutter metallurgies (SS420, D2, and HSS M2) and different coatings in shampoo liquids and conditioners. Two PVD coatings, namely Titanium Nitride (TiN) and Chromium Nitride (CrN), were chosen for this work. The most popular FMCG hair shampoo and conditioner combination in South Asia was selected for the study. The coated cutters were exposed to 20% concentration by volume of different shampoo solutions and their corrosion rates were compared with uncoated cutters. The CrN-coated SS420 specimen exhibited the most significant improvement in corrosion resistance with low wettability compared to all other specimens tested in various solutions. In contrast, the uncoated M2 specimen suffered the most severe corrosion with high wettability in various solutions. An inverse correlation was observed between wettability and corrosion resistance for the various specimens. The findings of this study give a better understanding of the corrosion of perforation cutters by shampoo liquids, elucidating the impact on their longevity and providing insights into the potential benefits of PVD coatings for enhancing their durability.

Ultralight, dual-conductive, all-fiber based 3D anode current collector for anode-free lithium metal battery

The anode-free Li metal batteries (AFLMBs), by pairing Li-containing cathode with bare anode current collector (CC), have the potential to enable the maximum improvement (>70 %) in energy density of lithium batteries. Here, we report an ultralight, dual-conductive all-fiber based Cu–CNF-CNT as anode CC, which takes advantage of the high electronic conductivity of carbon nanotube (CNT), good ionic conductivity of copper-coordinated cellulose nanofiber (Cu–CNF), and the three-dimensional porous structure by nanofibers. The interactions between CNTs and Cu-CNFs enables good mechanical strength (4.71 MPa), high electrical conductivity (31.7 S/cm), low density (1.1 g/cm3) and good wettability with electrolyte. The 3D microstructure effectively homogenizes the Li+ flux and buffers the volume changes during cycling, leading to stable Li plating/stripping. As a result, AFLMB using Cu–CNF-CNT exhibits improved capacity retention by 33 % compared to that using Cu CC. The significantly elevated energy-density shows great application potential of the Cu–CNF-CNT in AFLMBs.