Surfactant Removal Research Articles

Eliminating hazardous pollutants: treatment options for dioxins and surfactants from water and wastewater: an updated review.

Surfactants and dioxins are increasingly being released into the environment due to their excessive usage and their improper disposal. These pollutants cause considerable harm to both humans and the natural environment. Therefore, their removal from water and wastewater, which form major pathways for their transmission, is necessary. Considerable research efforts have been devoted to finding a suitable method for the complete removal of these pollutants. The treatment options for both surfactants and dioxins could be similar but differ in terms of removal efficiencies for each. For example, surfactant removal through coagulation resulted in almost 68%, while for dioxins it attained 98% efficiency. Another method tested for the removal of surfactants is nanobubbling which recorded a 99% removal efficiency, while it was found to be inapplicable for the removal of dioxins due to the difference in the structure of the two products. Worth noting is that among the studied removal methods, biochar-based adsorption stands as one of the most promising techniques in terms of removal efficiency, cost, and sustainability covering the two pollutants. This review deals with the sources and impacts of these pollutants and discusses the recent developments in treatment methods, as compared to already-existing methods, for their elimination from water and wastewater, with the objective of highlighting the most sustainable methods for field application.

Use of native macrophyte Echinodorus subalatus for grey water treatment applying alternative bed substrate in constructed wetlands

ABSTRACT Two vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW 1 and VFCW 2) with native macrophyte Echinodorus subalatus (Mart.) were operated. In VFCW 1, the substrates used were ceramic brick, washed sand, seashells (Anomalocardia brasiliana), and ceramic brick and sand in VFCW 2. The system was operated for 74 days, in batches, with cycles of 168 h, and fed with synthetic grey water. The presence of seashells in VFCW 1 was a differential factor (p < 0) for the removal of anionic surfactant (94.09 ± 7.77%), COD (88.43 ± 5.43%) and total phosphorus (45. 98 ± 9.86%) when compared to VFCW 2. The Langmuir isotherm was used to calculate the substrate adsorption capacity for total phosphorus, anionic surfactant, and COD. The results showed that adsorption on support materials was not the primary mechanism of pollutants removal. From 16S sequencing, it was observed that phylum Firmicutes was the most abundant (96.5%), followed by phylum Proteobacteria (3.5%). The results suggest that using seashells as an alternative substrate improved pollutant removal efficiency.

Hydrodynamic Cavitation as a Method of Removing Surfactants from Real Carwash Wastewater.

The present work aimed to evaluate whether the use of an innovative method such as hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is suitable for the simultaneous removal of surfactants of different chemical natures (non-ionic, anionic and cationic) from actual car wash wastewater at different numbers of passes through the cavitation zone and different inlet pressures. An additional novelty was the use of multi-criteria decision support, which enabled the selection of optimal HC conditions that maximized the removal of each group of surfactants and chemical oxygen demand (COD) with minimal energy input. For the optimal HC variants, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR) as well as investigations of surface tension, zeta potential, specific conductivity, system viscosity and particle size were carried out. The highest reduction of non-ionic surfactants was found at 5 bar inlet pressure and reached 35.5% after 120 min. The most favourable inlet pressure for the removal of anionic surfactants was 3 bar and the removal efficiency was 77.2% after 120 min, whereas the most favourable inlet pressure for cationic surfactant removal was 3 bar, with the highest removal of 20% after 120 min. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that HC may constitute an effective, fast and cost-efficient method for removing surfactants from real industrial wastewater.

Extraordinary 99Mo adsorption: utilizing spray-dried mesoporous alumina for clinical-grade generator development

Abstract Mesoporous alumina spherical particles, synthesized via spray-drying with the self-assembly of EOnPOmEOn, have been utilized for the development of clinical-grade molybdenum-99/technetium-99 m (99Mo/99mTc) generators. When evaluated as molybdenum (Mo) adsorbents, the mesoporous alumina spherical particles are useful for effective adsorption of Mo ions rather than commercially available particulate alumina. The effects of surfactant removal methods on the Mo adsorption property are also systematically investigated using the batch method. Batch adsorption studies reveal practical adsorption capacities ranging from 45.9 to 91.2 mg Mo g−1 in a Mo solution (1000 mg Mo L−1) at pH 3. The experimental results indicate the following trend in Mo adsorption capacity: solvent extraction &amp;gt;calcination (400 °C and 800 °C) &amp;gt;commercially available alumina (Medical Al2O3 used as is). To explore the feasibility of developing a clinical-scale generator, a novel tandem column generator concept is employed. Using the spray-dried and extracted mesoporous alumina, 99mTc eluted from the generator exhibits high radionuclidic, radiochemical, and chemical purity, making it suitable for the preparation of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals.

Comparative study of greywater treatment using activated carbon and woodchip biochar for surfactant and organic matter removal

Greywater (GW) treatment is recognized as a more efficient alternative to blackwater treatment, particularly for reuse applications, due to its lower pathogen content and higher concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and surfactants. In this study, the adsorption performance of woodchip biochar (BC) and activated carbon (AC) was compared for the removal of COD, anionic surfactants (ASU), and non-ionic surfactants (NISU) from GW. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the removal efficiency of both organic matter and surfactants. AC demonstrated higher adsorption capacities for COD and ASU, with KL = 0.007 L/mg and Qmax = 0.95 mg/g for COD, and KL = 1.4 × 104 L/mg and Qmax = 0.08 mg/g for ASU. In contrast, BC showed a significantly higher affinity for NISU, with KL = 8.4 × 103 L/mg and Qmax = 0.01 mg/g. Breakthrough curves and pseudo-first-order (PFO) kinetics provided insights into adsorption dynamics, with AC showing delayed breakthrough and greater longevity, while BC offered rapid adsorption and cost-effectiveness. The treated GW achieved substantial reductions in contaminant levels, with final COD and surfactant concentrations reduced to approximately 10 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively, meeting Italian and Australian regulatory standards. The study highlights the potential of woodchip BC as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to AC, particularly for short-term adsorption applications, and offers valuable insights into the treatment of GW for reuse.

Advanced oxidation processes by UV/H2O2 for the removal of anionic surfactants in a decentralized wastewater treatment plant in Ecuador

ABSTRACT Surfactants are persistent pollutants that pose risks to ecosystems and human health due to their low removal efficiency in conventional wastewater treatment plants. In Guayaquil, Ecuador, a decentralized facility discharges water with a surfactant concentration that exceeds the national legislation up to 20 times. This work aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the advanced oxidation process UV/H2O2 in removing anionic surfactants as a tertiary treatment for the decentralized facility investigated. A laboratory-scale batch system was tested for the treatment of real effluent with three hydrogen peroxide concentrations (100, 250, and 500 mg L−1) and UV exposure up to 120 min. All experimental trials were run in duplicate. After 60 min of UV exposure with 250 mg L−1 of H2O2, the anionic surfactant removal was 94.3 ± 4.3%, and the effluent complied with the discharge limits (&amp;lt;0.5 mg L−1). These operational parameters were selected for continuous laboratory-scale experiments to simulate the facility operation, achieving a maximum removal of 92.3 ± 2.5%. Although the reactor demonstrates a high removal rate, improvements to its configuration are necessary to meet discharge limits. The UV/H2O2 process allowed the removal of anionic surfactants, suggesting its feasibility as a complementary treatment in decentralized plants with similar problems.

Surfactant-Free Preparation of Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles in Aqueous Dispersions Using Sulfate Functionalized Fluorene Monomers.

Conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) can be synthesized by a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling miniemulsion polymerization to give stable dispersions with a high concentration of uniform nanoparticles. However, large amounts of added surfactants are required to stabilize the miniemulsion and prevent the aggregation of the nanoparticles. Removal of the excess surfactant is challenging, and residual surfactant in thin films deposited from these dispersions can reduce the performance of optoelectronic devices. We report a novel approach to prepare stable dispersions with no added surfactant using a fluorene monomer, 2,7-dibromo-9,9-bis(undecanesulfate)-9H-fluorene, with alkyl side chains terminated by negatively charged sulfate groups. This functionality mimics the structure of one of the most commonly used surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This charged monomer effectively stabilizes the miniemulsion through electrostatic repulsion without the use of any additional surfactant in molar ratios ranging from 2.0 to 20.0 mol % of total monomer content for the preparation of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene) (PF8T2). Incorporation of 5.0 mol % of the amphiphilic monomer gave stable dispersions with a surface potential below -40 mV and, and polymers with molar mass (Mn) above 10 kg mol-1. This method should be generally applicable to the preparation of dispersions of polyfluorenes for application in organic electronic and optoelectronic devices without the requirement for time-consuming processes to remove residual surfactant.

Study on the Synthesis of BTA@MSNs Nanocarriers

Abstract Mesoporous silica, characterized by its adjustable pore size, uniform distribution, stable structure, and non-toxicity, is widely used as an encapsulating material for corrosion inhibitors. This study initially established that, compared to the high-temperature calcination method, the removal of surfactants via the solvent extraction method yields mesoporous silica with uniform size and better dispersibility. Results from N2 adsorption-desorption tests indicated that the mesoporous silica prepared by the solvent extraction method had an average pore diameter of 2.41 nm, a volume of 0.42 cc/g, and a specific surface area of 69.73 m2/g. SEM and TEM analyses showed that the BTA@MSNs nanoparticles synthesized via a one-step method were approximately 100 nm in size, whereas those prepared by the vacuum loading method were about 50 nm, both exhibiting ordered mesoporous structures. UV-vis spectrophotometry results revealed that the loading capacity of BTA in the nanoparticles produced by the one-step synthesis method was significantly lower than that in the BTA@MSNs nanoparticles prepared via the vacuum impregnation method.

Exploring the cationic surfactant adsorption efficiency at concentrations relative to the critical micelle concentration by SA/SiO2 microspheres

Studying the adsorption behavior of cationic surfactants can help to develop more effective strategies to limit their dispersion in the environment. However, there have few studies on the adsorption of cationic surfactants from the perspective of critical micelle concentration (CMC). In this study, with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and octadecyl trimethylammonium bromide (OTAB) serving as the model cationic surfactants, the effect of CMC on the adsorption behavior of cationic surfactant onto the surface of sodium alginate/silica (SA/SiO2) microspheres was systematically revealed. The adsorption mechanism relative to CMC was investigated under different conditions, including surfactant concentration, pH, temperature, and adsorption time. The results suggest that at identical concentrations, the smaller the CMC value of the cationic surfactants, the greater the adsorption amount (qt). qt for CTAB and OTAB were 583.2 and 678.0 mg/g respectively, with the concentration higher than their CMC value. When the concentration was lower than the CMC value of the cationic surfactants, qt for CTAB and OTAB were 123.2 and 138.7 mg/g, respectively. The CMC value of CTAB was lower than that of OTAB under identical conditions, suggesting that the adsorption of cationic surfactants is related to their CMC. These results are beneficial for the removal of cationic surfactants by adsorption methods.

Pontederia crassipes utilization for dual phytoremediation and adsorption in greywater treatment: a techno-economic and sustainable approach

While phytoremediation has been widely employed for greywater treatment, this system suffers from the transfer of considerable amounts of surfactants to the aquatic environment through partially treated effluent and/or exhausted plant disposal. Hence, this study focuses on greywater phytoremediation followed by recycling the spent plant for preparing an adsorbent material used as post-treatment. P. crassipes was used to operate a phytoremediation unit under 23 °C, 60% relative humidity, plant density (5–30 g/L), dilution (0–50%), pH (4–10), and retention time (3–15 days). The optimum condition was 12.7 g/L density, 34.0% dilution, pH 8.4, and 13 days, giving chemical oxygen demand (COD), surfactant, and NH4-N removal efficiencies of 94.62%, 90.45%, and 88.09%, respectively. The exhausted plant was then thermally treated at 550 °C and 40 min to obtain biochar used as adsorbent to treat the phytoremediation effluent. The optimum adsorption process was biochar dosage of 1.51 g/L, pH of 2.1, and 137 min, providing a surfactant removal efficiency of 92.56%. The final discharge of this phytoremediation/adsorption combined process contained 8.30 mg/L COD, 0.23 mg/L surfactant, and 0.94 mg/L NH4 +-N. Interestingly, this approach could be economically feasible with a payback period of 6.5 years, 14 USD net present value, and 8.6% internal rate of return.

Treatment of greywater coming from a food court using adsorption and advanced oxidation processes

The increase in the demand for water has recrudesced water scarcity in several places of the world, which has been intensified by the lack of rainfall, generating a water crisis, being very important to evaluate the treatment to allow the reuse of greywater. This is the first study focused on the removal of pollutants present in greywater using a pretreatment system based on ozone and solar irradiation. A series of treatments were addressed to evaluate the depuration of greywater coming from the dishwashing of a university dining hall. Notable findings of the study include several aspects such as a very high colour removal using sedimentation and, filtration and flotation process, with an overall colour removal of 91.8 %. The adsorption process removed a higher amount of surfactants with dried compost as adsorbent compared to fly ash or zeolite, with surfactant removal rates of 50.8 %, 7.8 %, and 9.0 %, respectively. Eliminating oil and grease from the greywater was studied with a solar photoreactor coupled with an ozonation process and configured in different ways. When ozone was incorporated into the vertical ozonation tube, and greywater was pumped to mix it with the ozone gas to pump the resulting mix to the borosilicate tube, oil and grease removal was 84.1 %. These treatment processes offer an effective solution for removing pollutants present in greywater; however, further studies and optimisation of operational conditions are required to enhance the efficiency of the treatment.

Cleaning mechanisms during post chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) using particle removal of surfactants via a citric acid-based solution

With the development of circuit integration technology, the requirements for defects in copper interconnects have become more stringent. The residual SiO2 particles on the copper surface can seriously affect circuit performance and require more efficient and thorough removal. This article investigates the effects of a novel cleaning solution composed of citric acid (CA), alkyl polysaccharide glycosides (APG1214), and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA), aimed at improving the removal efficiency of SiO2 and maintaining the integrity of copper surface. The optimal concentrations of APG1214 and LABSA were determined through contact angle and surface tension analysis. It was found that when APG1214 (2000 ppm) and LABSA (1000 ppm) were combined in a 3:2 vol ratio in CA solution (0.6 wt%), the highest particle removal efficiency (99.5 %) could be achieved while minimizing surface roughness. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed these findings. Combining quantum chemical calculations, new insights into the mechanism of action of different components in clean solutions have been proposed: 1. Similar to CA, LABSA and APG1214 demonstrate a strong affinity for copper, synergistically facilitating the cleavage of Cu-Si bonds. 2. Alternating adsorption of LABSA and APG1214 on free silica particles prevents their re-adsorption onto copper surfaces. 3. Furthermore, their orderly adsorption on copper mitigates the corrosive chelation effect of CA, providing a protective mechanism. These findings are pivotal for the development of advanced, multifunctional cleaning solutions.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection for Fenthion Pesticides Based on Gold Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Solid-State Substrates.

Current label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assay for the detection and analysis of organophosphorus pesticides has achieved initial success, but the application still faces constraints of substrate portability and specificity. To this end, this paper demonstrates a method for portable, rapid, and specific detection of low concentrations of fenthion pesticides based on a solid substrate of gold nanoparticle monolayers combined with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The nano-monolayers were transferred to the surface of mercapto-silicon wafers by interfacial self-assembly technique to form a stable connection with S-Au bonds and, at the same time, prevent nanoparticles from dropping off during the surfactant removal process. Then, the fenthion MIPs were directly generated on the surface of the monolayer film by spin-coating with a pre-polymerization solution and ultraviolet-induced polymerization. Tests showed that the molecular imprint was able to accurately bind to fenthion, but not other molecules, in a mixture of structural analogs, achieving a low concentration detection of 10-8 mol/L. The composite substrate maintained a signal uniformity of a relative standard deviation (RSD) = 7.05% and a batch-to-batch reproducibility of RSD = 10.40%, making it a potential pathway for the extended application of SERS technology.

Optimization of the MCM-48 Synthesis Method as a Catalyst in the Esterification of Nyamplung Seed Oil into Biodiesel

This study was conducted to synthesize MCM-48 based on the surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Triton X-100). The effect of surfactant on MCM-48 was studied in the esterification of nyamplung seed oil. Optimization of the amount of surfactant in the MCM-48 catalyst in the esterification of nyamplung seed oil was carried out by washing and calcination methods. Comparison of GC-MS method and acid-base titration was also studied to determine the activity of the MCM-48 catalyst in the esterification. The results of the Mann Whitney statistical test showed that there was no significant difference (Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.967) for the two methods. The effect of the active site on the MCM-48 catalyst activity in the esterification was characterized by FTIR and XRD. The catalyst's activity is significantly influenced by both the percentage transmittance of the silanol active site and the surfactant removal method. The MCM-48 catalyst manufactured by calcination (CTAB-MCM-48/650) performed 12.31% better than the washing approach (CTAB-MCM-48/1w). However, the CTAB-MCM-48 catalyst can be applied to the simultaneous reaction (esterification and transesterification) of the conversion of nyamplung seed oil into biodiesel.

Removal of Organic Dyes, Polymers and Surfactants Using Carbonaceous Materials Derived from Walnut Shells.

A series of new granular carbonaceous adsorbents was prepared via single-stage physical and chemical activation of walnut shells. Their suitability for removing various types of organic pollutants (represented by dyes, surfactants and water-soluble polymers) from the liquid phase was assessed. The activation of the precursor was carried out with CO2 and H3PO4 using conventional heating. Activated biocarbons were characterized in terms of chemical composition, acidic-basic nature of the surface, textural and electrokinetic properties as well as thermal stability. Depending on the type of activating agent used during the activation procedure, the obtained biocarbons differed in terms of specific surface area (from 401 to 1361 m2/g) and the type of porous structure produced (microporosity contribution in the range of 45-75%). Adsorption tests proved that the effectiveness of removing organic pollutants from the liquid phase depended to a large extent on the type of prepared adsorbent as well as the chemical nature and the molecular size of the adsorbate used. The chemically activated sample showed greater removal efficiency in relation to all tested pollutants. Its maximum adsorption capacity for methylene blue, poly(acrylic acid), poly(ethylene glycol) and Triton X-100 reached the levels of 247.1, 680.9, 38.5 and 61.8 mg/g, respectively.

Core/shell nanofibrous conduit containing natural surfactant enhanced axonal regrowth guiding for peripheral nerve regeneration

This study illustrated the impact of Saponins in electrospun nanofibers on nerve regeneration and compared them with Tween 80, which is commonly used as a synthetic surfactant. The study explores the effect of Saponins, natural emulsifiers known for their effectiveness in forming and stabilizing emulsions. Surfactant choice is crucial due to its effects on fluid stability, influenced by parameters like polymer concentration, homogenization rate, and surfactant type/amount. This study explored PCL as the core and PVA as the shell.Core/shell scaffolds displayed favorable wettability (contact angle: 67.0° ± 1.3) and improved mechanical properties (wet state tensile strength: PVA 1.1 ± 0.2 MPa, PVA/PCL-Saponin 2.0 ± 0.5 MPa). The MTT viability assay demonstrated higher viability of PC12 cells on Saponin-containing nanofibers (85.0 % ± 0.1) compared to Tween 80 (69.0 % ± 0.1) after 24 h. Subcutaneous implantation in rats showed no significant inflammation after one week. Eventually, in the animal model, the conduit containing Saponin was more effective than Tween 80 in repairing the rat's sciatic nerve within six weeks, as evidenced by NF-200 counts and histological studies. Overall, the study indicates that PVA/PCL-Saponin nanofibers, without requiring Saponin surfactant removal, show high quality and effectiveness for tissue engineering and medical purposes.

Systematic study of the implications of calcination and solvent extraction of the surfactant in MCM-41-type mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) have been growing in recent years in a broad range of applications, such as nanomedicine, catalysis, and gas storage. For the preparation of MSN, especially in nanomedicine applications, the extraction of the surfactant template, generally 1-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), is required. Several methods to remove the surfactant from MNS have been reported in the literature, such as calcination, solvent extraction, and dialysis. Depending on the method employed, the materials obtained have different properties; however, a systematic study that compares the use of different surfactant extraction methods and their implications in the final characteristics of the MSN has not been reported. Hence, the aim of this work is to study the effect of surfactant removal on MSN by calcination at different temperatures (400 °C, 450 °C, 500 °C and 550 °C) or by extraction with HCl/ethanol or NH4NO3/ethanol. The final materials are fully characterised by different techniques. The study performed shows the removal efficiency when the different methods are used, and their effect on silica condensation degree, mesoporosity, cytotoxicity, and degradation rate. The results allow for obtaining a deeper knowledge of the surfactant removal processes.

Influence of enzyme activity on domestic wastewater amelioration in a hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetland.

Wastewater treatment in a constructed wetland is achieved by the presence of plant species, the metabolism of microorganisms, and the enzyme activities. Three small-scale hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSFCWs) planted with Arundo donax and one unplanted HSFCW were constructed near a water resource recovery facility at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation between soil enzymatic activities and the removal of contaminants from domestic wastewater. Enzyme activity of phosphatase, protease, urease, and cellulase increased with an increase in temperature. A strong correlation between enzyme activities and TKN and surfactant removal was observed, whereas moderate correlation was observed with phosphate in planted HSFCW during the study. The correlation between COD removal and enzyme activities was low to moderate. In unplanted HSFCW, the correlation between enzyme activities and COD removal was negative, negligible to moderate to strong in the case of TKN, low to moderate in the case of phosphate, and negligible to low in the case of surfactants. The increased removal efficiency of the planted system compared with that of the unplanted system indicated a positive impact on enzyme activities with the growth of plants and their roots. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Protease, urease, and cellulase activities: Planted HSFCW exhibited higher protease, urease, and cellulase activities than unplanted, signifying enhanced breakdown. July displayed maximum enzyme activities, correlating with heightened biological breakdown in both systems. Fluctuations in enzyme activities reflected seasonal changes, influencing nutrient degradation rates. Planted HSFCW consistently showed higher enzymatic activities across protease, urease, and cellulase than unplanted.

Cationic surfactant modified iron nanoparticles for removal of orange II in batch mode: Kinetics, isotherms, mechanistic, and thermodynamic approach

AbstractThe interaction of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with orange II has been studied spectrophotometrically. CTA‐Orange II complex was isolated from an aqueous solution with chloroform. The results indicate that the CTAB interacts in 1:1 stoichiometry with orange II. CTAB capped FeNPs were used as an adsorbent to the removal of CTA‐Orange II complex. Energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscope (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), surface scanning microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to determine the morphology of FeNPs. The effect of contact time, pH, and concentration of orange II were examined on the removal of dye and surfactant. The removal of orange II followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of CTAB‐FeNPs for orange II was 1288.9 mg/g at 30°C. CTA‐Orange II complex was adsorbed onto the adsorbent through several types of interaction (e.g., electrostatic attractions, van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding and n‐π stacking interactions). The sorption of orange G was also studied at different CTAB concentrations. The results implied that the maximum sorption amount was almost half of the orange II adsorption. The findings reveal the feasibility of CTAB capped FeNPs to be used as an excellent and low‐cost adsorbent for the removal of various water pollutants, more specifically anionic dyes.

Low-temperature preparation of nanostructured porous sol-gel anti-reflective coating for near-infrared wavelengths

Anti-reflective coatings are crucial in minimizing reflection between different optical media at the interfaces. This study aims to develop an anti-reflective layer for the near-infrared region using a sol-gel coating method combined with a low-temperature plasma-jet-assisted surfactant extraction. For the deposition of the sol-gel layer on glass and polycarbonate substrates, dip-coating and spray-coating techniques were used. Surfactant removal was carried out using a plasma-jet and solvent exchange. Some of the samples were also annealed at 450 °C. The samples were characterized through light transmission measurements, haze percentage determination, 3D laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. The results showed that the anti-reflective coating layer treated with a plasma-jet and solvent exchange at room temperature demonstrated broadband anti-reflective properties with high transmission in near-infrared regions (up to 7.6% relative improvements in transmission for two sides). Annealing, performed only on the glass substrate, also showed the maximum relative improvement in transmission up to 8% for two sides. Moreover, in the case of polymer-based substrates, a low-temperature process is essential, which is implemented successfully by a plasma-jet method. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the proposed method for fabricating anti-reflective layers on both glass and polycarbonate substrates, offering potential applications in various industries, e.g. where either low-temperature fabrication or cost-cutting, quick and “simple” production methods play a major role for the feasibility of products as in mass markets.