Hydrophilic Groups Research Articles

Fast reversion of hydrophility-superhydrophobicity on textured metal surface by electron beam irradiation

Reversible hydrophilic-hydrophobic transitions on metal surfaces are challenging in surface-wetting treatment. Existing preparation methods have the disadvantages of requiring a long time, producing a metal oxide layer, and being difficult to implement. In this paper, a rapid reversible transitions between hydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity was achieved on the surface of 316L stainless steel using laser etching combined with electron beam irradiation. The contents of C–C/C–H hydrophobic functional groups was found to be notably increased by low electron dose in the experiments. The contents of C-O-C, O-C = O and –OH hydrophilic functional groups decreased. The interaction of excited secondary electrons with precursor molecules generated free radical fragments that adsorbed onto surfaces and formed new chemical bonds, changing the content of the functional groups. Reversible hydrophilic and superhydrophobic transitions could be achieved by adjusting the electron dose. The contact angle continually changed from 91° to 160° with a beam current of 100 μA, to 17° with 300 μA, and back to 90° with cleaning. The entire procedure required only four minutes. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic state with contact angle of 160° has a sliding angle of 6°, presenting excellent resistance to bacterial adhesion, UV irradiation, and delayed icing.

Study on the preparation and properties of hydrogel electrolytes

Abstract Hydrogels are water-rich network polymers. The hydrophilic groups on the polymer molecular chains ensure their swelling property and high water content, and the cross-linked hydrogel network and the intermolecular interactions between the polymer molecular chains generate cohesive forces to prevent further penetration of water molecules. The porous structure of the gel enables water molecules to freely traverse the polymer network and the high-frequency flow of molecules in water offers a viable method for the preparation of hydrogel electrolytes. As a result, hydrogel electrolytes are now an important conductive material to compensate for the defects of conventional electronic materials, such as hardness and roughness, and lack of environmental friendliness. This paper starts with the method of hydrogel electrolyte preparation. Good stretchability, conductivity, biocompatibility, and self-healing properties are demonstrated by introducing different materials such as conductive nanomaterials. The types of synthetic conductive hydrogel matrices are extended according to the type of composite materials, making the hydrogel electrolytes usable in many fields like sensing, electrochemical energy storage, biomedicine, environmental detection, flexible wearable fields, and other applications.

Study on preparation and properties of polyurethane modified epoxy resin lotion cementing slurry

To solve the problems of poor cementing quality and weak consolidation performance of deep-water shallow cementing cement, a low-temperature curable polyurethane-modified epoxy resin lotion (WER) was prepared with epoxy resin and polyurethane as raw materials, and its hydrophilic groups (carboxyl and ether bonds) were self emulsified. The results show that the modified WER lotion cement slurry has good fluidity and stability. Its thickening transition time is less than 16 min, which can effectively prevent gas channeling. In addition, its low-temperature mechanical properties have been significantly improved, and its compressive strength has increased by 42.4% and 44.5% compared to net slurry cement within 3 and 7 days, while its elastic modulus has decreased by 34.1% and 42.4%, respectively.

Differentiating human phospholipase A2's activity toward phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate

Phospholipase A2's (PLA2's) constitute a superfamily of enzymes that hydrolyze the sn-2 fatty acyl chain on glycerophospholipids. We have previously reported that each PLA2 Type shows a unique substrate specificity for the molecular species it hydrolyzes, especially the acyl chain that is cleaved from the sn-2 position and to some extent the polar group. However, phosphatidylinositol (PI) and PI phosphates (PIPs) have not been as well studied as substrates as other phospholipids because the PIPs require adaptation of the standard analysis methods, but they are important in vivo. We determined the in vitro activity of the three major types of human PLA2's, namely the cytosolic (c), calcium-independent (i), and secreted (s) PLA2's toward PI, PI-4-phosphate (PI(4)P), and PI-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). The in vitro assay revealed that Group IVA cPLA2 (GIVA cPLA2) showed relatively high activity toward PI and PI(4)P among the tested PLA2's; nevertheless, the highly hydrophilic headgroup disrupted the interaction between the lipid surface and the enzyme. GIVA cPLA2 and GVIA iPLA2 showed detectable activity toward PI(4,5)P2, but it appeared to be a poorer substrate for all of the PLA2's tested. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated that Thr416 and Glu418 of GIVA cPLA2 contribute significantly to accommodating the hydrophilic head groups of PI and PI(4)P, which could explain some selectivity for PI and PI(4)P. These results indicated that GIVA cPLA2 can accommodate PI and PI(4)P in its active site and hydrolyze them, suggesting that the GIVA cPLA2 may best account for the PI and PIP hydrolysis in living cells.

The preparation of edible water-soluble films comprising κ-carrageenan/carboxymethyl starch/gum ghatti and their application in instant coffee powder packaging

This study successfully prepared an edible packaging film that rapidly dissolves in water by utilizing a combination of κ-carrageenan, carboxymethyl starch, and gum ghatti. We investigated the influence of these three materials on the microstructure and physical properties of the film, as well as the impact of the film's dissolution on the stability of beverages. SEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses revealed that the κ-carrageenan, carboxymethyl starch, and gum ghatti primarily interacted through hydrogen bonding, resulting in a more uniform and dense film structure. Surface hydrophilicity and swelling tests indicated an increased presence of hydrophilic groups in the composite film. The inclusion of carboxymethyl starch and gum ghatti significantly improves the film's physical properties, resulting in a notable reduction in water solubility time, an increase in elongation at break from 19.5 % to 26.0 %, a rise in the contact angle from 49.1° to 67.0°, and a decrease in water vapor permeability from 7.5 × 10–10 to 6.2 × 10–10 g/m·s·Pa. Furthermore, coffee packaging bags made from this composite film dissolved entirely in hot water in just 40 s. Dissolving these bags significantly improved the stability of instant coffee, reducing centrifugal sedimentation from 3.8 % to 1.7 %. This study highlights the substantial potential of the κ-carrageenan/carboxymethyl starch/gum ghatti composite film as a packaging material for solid beverages.

Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Self-Cementing Nanoscale Polymeric Microspheres with Salt and Temperature Tolerance.

Polymer microspheres with temperature and salt resistance were synthesized using the anti-suspension polymerization method, incorporating the functional monomers AMPS, AM, and AA. To enhance their self-gelling properties, the microspheres were designed with a core-shell structure. The shell is composed of a polymeric surfactant, fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether methacrylate (AEOMA), which serves as a thermosensitive crosslinking agent, enabling self-crosslinking upon shell decomposition, addressing compatibility with reservoir pore throat dimensions. Comprehensive characterizations including infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and laser particle size analysis were conducted. The microspheres exhibited successful synthesis, a nanoscale size, and regular spherical morphology. They demonstrated excellent temperature and salt resistance, making them suitable for high-temperature, high-salinity reservoir profile control. With a stable three-dimensional network structure, the microspheres displayed good expansion behavior due to hydrophilic groups along the polymer chains, resulting in favorable water affinity. Even after aging, the microspheres maintained their gelling state with a distinct and stable microscopic network skeleton. They exhibited superior plugging performance in low-permeability reservoirs, while effectively improving water absorption profiles in reservoirs with permeability contrasts of 10 to 80, thereby enhancing oil recovery.

Water adsorption kinetics on graphene controlled by surface modification of supporting substrates

Sensing layers with an increased affinity for water molecules are essential for the development of highly sensitive humidity sensors. Graphene possesses superior electrical properties that make it suitable for the fabrication of low-noise miniaturized sensors. However, the enhancement of water affinity by introducing surface defects such as covalently attached hydrophilic groups reduces the electrical conductivity of graphene. In this study, we exploit the wetting transparency of graphene to increase its water affinity without introducing defects. Kinetic measurements using a Kelvin probe with a large-diameter tip showed that the rate constant of water adsorption was higher for graphene deposited on a hydrophilic substrate. These findings suggest that the wetting transparency of graphene can be exploited to reduce defect introduction into the graphene sensing layer, and has potential applications in sensor technologies.

A Janus evaporator based on Donnan effect for efficient solar thermal desalination

Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) is a solution to alleviate the energy crisis by obtaining clean water at low cost. In order to maintain high evaporation rates in high salinity brines, it is necessary to develop a new ISSG device with controlled heat loss and good salt resistance. In this paper, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as the backbone to construct ion-selective hydrogel, and hydrogel network with multiple hydrophilic groups was formed using Fe3O4 as a broadband light absorber. Specifically, the evaporator is suspended on the water surface with evaporation rate of 3.04 kg·m−2·h−1 under one sun irradiation. The bilayer hydrogels can permeate Cl− and Na+ selectively. The improved salt resistance is due to the exclusion mechanism of the Donnan effect, with the formed potential difference of 157.4 mV at a brine concentration of 3.5 wt%. Even if it is suspended on the water surface in a high concentration of brine, there will be no salt crystals generated. The developed Janus ion-selective hydrogel-based evaporator shows great prospect for desalination and other advanced solar thermal applications.

Synergistic Interaction of Ionic Liquid Grafted Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) and Carbon Nanotubes to Construct Water Treatment Membranes with Multiple Separation Properties.

In this study, the dual strategy of 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid (IL) grafting and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposition was applied to modify poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based membranes. The highly hydrophilic/oleophobic and fouling-resistant PVDF-g-IL/CNTs membranes with excellent separation efficiency were obtained by the nonsolvent-induced phase separation method with ethanol-water mixed solution as the coagulation bath. The grafted IL not only generated hydrophilic groups on PVDF chains but also acted together with the CNTs to induce the formation of hydrophilic β-crystalline phase of PVDF, which significantly improved the hydrophilicity and pore structure of the modified PVDF membranes. As a result, the pure water flux of the optimal membrane increased up to 294.2 L m-2 h-1, which was 5.2 times greater than that of the pure PVDF membrane. Simultaneously, the electrostatic interaction of the positive IL and the integration of CNTs enhanced adsorption sites of the membranes, producing exceptional retention and adsorption of dye wastewater and oil-water emulsion. This study presents a straightforward and efficient approach for fabricating PVDF separation membranes, which have potential applications in the purification of various polluted wastewater.

Chitosan/Graphene oxide/SiO2 Nanoadsorbents for the Removal of Cr(VI) from Wastewaters

The swift industrialization and urbanisation have led to the discharge of significant amounts of hazardous heavy metals into water environments. Heavy metal pollution is currently one of the most significant environmental challenges being addressed, attracting researchers due to its biotoxicity, and non-biodegradability even at minimal concentrations [1]. Chromium (Cr) is among the most prevalent heavy metal contaminants. Its oxidation state, Cr(VI), harms the environment yet has catastrophic consequences for human health [2]. It is removed by physical and chemical procedures such as ion exchange, chemical precipitation and electrochemical treatment. Yet, most of these procedures have downsides, such as the formation of hazardous sludge, causing disposal issues and the need for costly tools and monitoring systems [3]. Adsorption is regarded an appealing and favourable technology because to its ease of design, simplicity, and high efficiency. Carbon-based nanomaterials have been investigated as superior adsorbents in aqueous solutions for the separation of organic and inorganic contaminants. The current study recommends the usage of adsorbents based on graphene oxide (GO). GO is an oxygen-rich material that is produced during the oxidation of graphite. It features hydrophobic areas due to aromatic groups in the nanosheets' centres, along with a large number of hydrophilic functional groups such as hydroxy, aldehyde, epoxy, and carboxyl groups [4]. The latter allow GO to swell and perform electrostatic functions. Chitosan (Cs) is a great adsorbent since it is inexpensive, is biocompatible, and causes no secondary pollution. Its molecular chains include -NH2 and -OH groups, which can interact with heavy metal ions and give significant adsorption capacity [5]. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles with graphene oxide have better physical and chemical characteristics than graphene oxide-like surface area. Similar research has revealed that the presence of SiO2 increases the adsorbent's adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) [6]. The effect of the pH value, contact time and initial chromium concentration was examined in order to determine the feasibility of Cs/GO@SiO2. Its structure and the morphology were studied in detail by the application of BET, XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. According to the results, the modification of Cs with GO@SiO2 enhanced the percentage removal of chromium ions, especially, in acidic conditions by using 0.5 g/L of the adsorbent. Experimental data of equilibrium were used to calculate adsorption isotherms. According to thermodynamics the spontaneous nature of their adsorption was confirmed. Overall, the results indicate that Cs/GO@SiO2 can be effectively employed for removal of chromium from aqueous solutions.

Characterization of cellular uptake, anti-colorectal cancer effects and pharmacokinetics of curcumin-loaded polypropylene/rice husk composites filled with nano-SiO2

Curcumin-loaded polypropylene/rice husk/SiO2 composites were fabricated with tunable nano-SiO2 filler loadings (0–10 wt%) via melt-blending and injection molding. XRD analysis revealed effective intercalation of nanoparticles and interaction with the polymer chains up to 6 wt% loading. Incorporation of SiO2 fillers significantly enhanced mechanical strength with 6 % nano-SiO2 formulation demonstrating 27 % higher tensile strength, 52 % increased flexural modulus and 51 % greater impact resistance. The silica nanoparticles also reduced heat release rate through protective charring and decreased moisture absorption by over 8 % due to hydrophilic surface groups. In vitro studies showed that curcumin nano-composites with 6 % nano-SiO2 exhibited maximal cytotoxicity against HT-29 and HCT-116 colon cancer cells with CC50 values of 12.4±1.1 μg/ml and 10.3±0.9 μg/ml respectively, attributed to optimal drug release profile. The formulation arrested 22.1% cells in sub-G1 phase inducing apoptosis. Oral administration in tumor-bearing mice led to 3-fold increase in plasma exposure (Cmax 186±14 ng/ml) and relative bioavailability versus free curcumin, indicating capacity to evade presystemic clearance. The composites also enabled 3 times higher tumor accumulation highlighting potential for targeted colorectal cancer therapy via improved pharmacokinetics and site-specific action. Overall, precise tuning of nanostructured fillers augments mechanical and transport properties while potentiating anticancer performance.

Effects of micro- and nano-bubbles on the flotation separation of unburned carbon from coal fly ash

ABSTRACT Nanobubble technology has found extensive use in enhancing the flotation efficiency of various minerals. The utilization of nanobubbles in flotation encompasses bulk nanobubbles, surface nanobubbles, and microbubbles; however, a comprehensive comparison of their respective roles is lacking. Furthermore, there is a dearth of studies on employing nanobubble systems in the flotation of coal fly ash. The coal fly ash characters were initially studied to reveal its ultrafine size (d50: 24.80 μm) and porous structure that includes a multitude of hydrophilic functional groups. These attributes contribute to the inadequate hydrophobicity of unburned carbon within the ash. Subsequently, the effects of different collector types, frother types, and air flow rates on the efficiency of carbon removal using conventional flotation methods were examined. Comparative analysis showed that conventional flotation using diesel oil outperformed that which employed kerosene as the collector. Additionally, higher carbon removal efficiency was achieved using MIBC, with a longer carbon chain length, as the frother, as opposed to sec-Octyl alcohol. Furthermore, a direct relationship between air flow rate and coal fly ash flotation performance was observed – higher air flow rates corresponded to improved flotation outcomes. Finally, a comparison between conventional flotation and nanobubble-assisted flotation (utilizing bulk nanobubbles, surface nanobubbles, and micro-nanobubbles) was conducted. Remarkably, micro-nanobubble flotation yielded the most promising results, with the lowest loss-on-ignition in flotation tailings (3.15%) and the highest removal efficiency of unburned carbon (85.01%). These findings satisfied the loss-on-ignition requirements of Grade I fly ash standards.

Adsorption behavior and application properties of natural alcohol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether sulfate

In recent years, the Polyoxypropylene (PO) group has been introduced between the hydrophobic group and the polyoxyethylene (EO) group of traditional surfactants to enhance interfacial properties. However, literature on surfactants introducing PO chains between EO and hydrophilic groups remains scarce. In this study, three variants of natural alcohol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether sulfate (C1214E3PnS), each with different PO addition numbers, were synthesized from natural alcohol ether through sulfation and neutralization reactions. The adsorption behavior of C1214E3PnS with different PO addition numbers was investigated and compared to AES by measuring surface tension, dynamic surface tension, and contact angle. The results indicate that as the number of PO increases, both the critical micelle concentration and maximum adsorption capacity decrease. Additionally, pC20 and the number of PO groups introduced in the surfactant show a linear negative correlation, indicating a decline in surfactant efficiency. Due to an adsorption barrier, C1214E3PnS is governed by a mixed diffusion-kinetics adsorption mechanism. According to the application performance of C1214E3PnS, as the number of PO increases, wettability and foam stability have decline, while emulsifying performance is significantly enhanced. In conclusion, surfactants such as C1214E3PnS do not favor adsorption at the solid–liquid interface, but enhance the properties at the oil–water interface.

3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified MXene on three-dimensional nonwoven fiber substrates for low-cost, stable, and efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination

Recently, the solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination has attracted more and more attentions due to the advantages of low cost, zero energy consumption, and high water purification rate, etc. One of the bottlenecks of this emerging technique lies in a lack of simple and low-cost ways to construct three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical microstructures for photothermal membranes. To this end, a two-step strategy is carried out by combining surface functionalization with substrate engineering. Firstly, a silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) is grafted onto an ideal photothermal material of Ti3C2Tx MXene, to improve the nanochannel sizes and hydrophilicity, which are attributed to enlarged interspaces of MXene and introduced hydrophilic group e.g., –NH2 and –OH, respectively. Secondly, a low-cost and robust nonwoven fiber (NWF) substrate, which has a 3D micron-sized mesh structure with interlaced fiber stacks, is employed as the skeleton to load enough APTES-grafted MXene by a simple soaking method. Benefited from above design, the Ti3C2Tx-APTES/NWF composite membrane with a 3D hierarchical structure shows enhanced light scattering and utilization, water transport and vapor escape. A remarkable evaporation rate of 1.457 kg m−2 h−1 and an evaporation efficiency of 91.48 % are attained for a large-area (5 × 5 cm2) evaporator, and the evaporation rate is further increased to 1.672 kg m−2 h−1 for a small-area (2 × 2 cm2) device. The rejection rates of salt ions and heavy metal ions are higher than 99 % and 99.99 %, respectively, and the removal rates of organic dye molecules are nearly to 100 %. Besides, the composite photothermal membrane exhibits great stabilities in harsh conditions such as high salinities, long cycling, large light intensities, strong acid/alkali environments, and mechanical bending. Most importantly, the photothermal membrane shows a considerable cost-effectiveness of 89.4 g h−1/$. Hence, this study might promote the commercialization of solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination by collaboratively considering surface modification and substrate engineering for MXene.

Solubilization of polycyclic aromatic compounds into supralong-chain surfactants with double quaternary ammonium micelles

The dissolution of poorly water-soluble compounds in micelles via hydrophobic interactions is termed solubilization. The solubilization of polycyclic aromatic compounds, namely, naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene, was studied using supralong-chain surfactants with two consecutive cationic hydrophilic groups [CnH2n+1N+(CH3)2-(CH2)2-N+(CH3)3 2Br-: Cn-2Am (n = 18, 20, and 22)] and typical cationic surfactants [CnH2n+1N+(CH3)3 Br-: Cn-Am (n = 12, 14, and 16)]. Long alkyl chains in hydrophobic surfactants are advantageous for forming a large micellar core. The maximum quantity of solubilized polycyclic aromatic compounds increased as the alkyl chain length of the surfactant increased. Therefore, the molar solubilization ratio (MSR), which represents the solubilization ability of the surfactant, was maximized when the alkyl chain length was C22-2Am. Similarly, the Gibbs free energy (ΔG0) associated with the solubilization of polycyclic aromatic compounds was also lowest for C22-2Am. Surfactants with long alkyl chains functioned as excellent solubilizers. The solubilization sites of the polycyclic aromatic compounds were determined using two-dimensional NMR and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. As the molecular size of the polycyclic aromatic compounds increased, the solubilization positions in the micelles shifted from the palisade layer to the vicinity of the hydrophilic groups. Extension of the alkyl chain length of the surfactant resulted in an increase in the palisade region of the micelles, which was advantageous for solubilization.

Engineering tribological rehydration of cartilage interfaces: Assessment of potential polyelectrolyte mechanisms

Articular cartilage, primarily composed of water and collagen, is vital for synovial joint function. Traditional hard biomaterials like ceramic or cobalt-chrome used in hemiarthroplasty often result in abnormal contact pressures and premature implant failure. This study investigates the tribological properties of polyelectrolyte functionalised PEEK (SPMK-g-PEEK) in contact with cartilage, proposing a solution to these issues by utilising tribological rehydration and effective aqueous lubrication.We demonstrate a new mode of polyelectrolyte enhanced tribological rehydration where SPMK-g-PEEK achieves low friction and promotes interstitial fluid recovery during sliding, independent of traditional hydrodynamic theories. This results in a rapid stabilisation of the coefficient of friction (CoF) to levels comparable to natural cartilage (CoF ∼ 0.01) and aids in approximately 8% cartilage strain recovery, indicating effective tribological rehydration even under cartilage degradation or altered osmotic conditions.Furthermore, we find that lubrication and rehydration against an SPMK-g-PEEK interface depend minimally on biphasic lubrication but significantly on the hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups of SPMK, which act as a fluid reservoir. Our findings suggest SPMK-g-PEEK as a promising biomaterial for cartilage interfacing implants that offer low friction and modulate cartilage interstitial fluid pressure. This study enhances our understanding of biotribological interactions and contributes to the development of joint replacement materials that support the natural function of cartilage.

Tailoring Waterborne Coating Rheology with Hydrophobically Modified Ethoxylated Urethanes (HEURs): Molecular Architecture Insights Supported by CG-MD Simulations.

A novel investigation of the effects of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes (HEURs) on the rheological properties of their aqueous solutions, latex-based emulsions, and waterborne paints is demonstrated. Different HEUR thickeners were produced by varying the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecular weight and terminal hydrophobic size. Results reveal that the strength of hydrophobic associations and, consequently, the rheological properties of HEUR formulations can be effectively controlled by modifying the structure of the hydrophobic segment, specifically, the combination of diisocyanate and monoalcohol. This allows for the on-demand attainment of diverse rheological behaviors ranging from predominantly Newtonian profiles exhibiting lower viscosities to markedly pseudoplastic behaviors with significantly higher viscosities. The length of the hydrophilic group appears to affect viscosity only marginally up to a molecular weight of 23,000 g/mol, with more notable effects at 33,000 g/mol. Additionally, it was indicated that the rheological responses observed in water solutions provide a reliable forecast of their behavior in latex-based emulsions and waterborne paints. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations were also applied to gain insight into HEUR micelle dynamics in aqueous solutions. Guided by the DBSCAN algorithm, the simulations successfully captured the concentration-dependent behavior and the impact of hydrophilic chain length, aligning with the experimental viscosity trends. Various metrics were employed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the micellization process, including the hydrophobic cluster volume, the total micellar volume, the aggregation number, and the number of chains interconnecting with other micelles.

Entanglement Added to Cross-Linked Chains Enables Tough Gelatin-Based Hydrogel for Zn Metal Batteries.

Currently, it is still challenging to develop a hydrogel electrolyte matrix that can successfully achieve a harmonious combination of mechanical strength, ionic conductivity, and interfacial adaptability. Herein, a multi-networked hydrogel electrolyte with a high entanglement effect based on gelatin/oxidized dextran/methacrylic anhydride, denoted as ODGelMA is constructed. Attribute to the Schiff base network formulation of ─RC═N─, oxidized dextran integrated gelatin chains induce a dense hydrophilic conformation group. Furthermore, addition of methacrylic anhydride through a grafting process, the entangled hydrogel achieves impressive mechanical features (6.8MPa tensile strength) and high ionic conductivity (3.68mScm-1 at 20°C). The ODGelMA electrolyte regulates the zinc electrode by circumventing dendrite growth, and showcases an adaptable framework reservoir to accelerate the Zn2+ desolvation process. Benefiting from the entanglement effect, the Zn anode achieves an outstanding average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.8% over 500 cycles and cycling stability of 900h at 5mAcm-2 and 2.5mAhcm-2. The Zn||I2 full cell yields an ultra-long cycling stability of 10000 cycles with a capacity retention of 92.4% at 5C. Furthermore, a 60mAh single-layer pouch cell maintains a stable work of 350 cycles.

A Review of Methods to Modify the PDMS Surface Wettability and Their Applications.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has attracted great attention in various fields due to its excellent properties, but its inherent hydrophobicity presents challenges in many applications that require controlled wettability. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of some key strategies for modifying the wettability of PDMS surfaces by providing the main traditional methods for this modification and the results of altering the contact angle and other characteristics associated with this property. Four main technologies are discussed, namely, oxygen plasma treatment, surfactant addition, UV-ozone treatment, and the incorporation of nanomaterials, as these traditional methods are commonly selected due to the greater availability of information, their lower complexity compared to the new techniques, and the lower cost associated with them. Oxygen plasma treatment is a widely used method for improving the hydrophilicity of PDMS surfaces by introducing polar functional groups through oxidation reactions. The addition of surfactants provides a versatile method for altering the wettability of PDMS, where the selection and concentration of the surfactant play an important role in achieving the desired surface properties. UV-ozone treatment is an effective method for increasing the surface energy of PDMS, inducing oxidation, and generating hydrophilic functional groups. Furthermore, the incorporation of nanomaterials into PDMS matrices represents a promising route for modifying wettability, providing adjustable surface properties through controlled dispersion and interfacial interactions. The synergistic effect of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles and nanotubes, helps to improve wetting behaviour and surface energy. The present review discusses recent advances of each technique and highlights their underlying mechanisms, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, promising trends and future prospects for surface modification of PDMS are discussed, and the importance of tailoring wettability for applications ranging from microfluidics to biomedical devices is highlighted. Traditional methods are often chosen to modify the wettability of the PDMS surface because they have more information available in the literature, are less complex than new techniques, and are also less expensive.

A novel poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylamide) copolymer for the fabrication of transparent antifogging coatings on polycarbonate substrates

Although polycarbonate (PC) is widely used in various applications, its inherent hydrophobicity limits its potential in applications that require high light transmittance due to surface fog caused by changes in temperature or humidity in the environment. This work presents a facile method to fabricate transparent antifogging coatings on PC substrates based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylamide-co-2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (P(HEAA-co-AEMA)), in which the AEMA segments have an amino functional group that can react with the ester group on the surface of the PC substrate to form covalent urethane bonds during the heat curing process, avoiding the problems of coating susceptibility to mechanical damage, ease of peeling, etc. Moreover, HEAA units are employed as hydrophilic groups, providing antifogging performance. These antifogging coatings can be easily obtained by coating P(HEAA-co-AEMA) copolymers on PC substrates at room temperature and then curing them by thermal treatment. These transparent coatings exhibited excellent antifogging and self-cleaning performance. Furthermore, the coatings exhibited good adhesion in the cross-cut test and thermal stability in the hot water resistance test. Therefore, the present P(HEAA-co-AEMA) copolymer coatings are promising for practical antifogging applications.