Superhydrophobic Surfaces Research Articles

Surface engineering of Q235 carbon steel through a superamphiphobic composite coating enabling robust corrosion resistance and antifouling

Developing an efficient strategy to ensure the resistance of corrosion on Q235 carbon steel from liquid-based contaminants is a challenging work. Although superhydrophobic and superamphiphobic coatings have been fabricated, their susceptibility to oily liquids and poor mechanical robustness still limits their ability to tackle corrosion. Herein, the synthesis and fabrication of a new robust superamphiphobic nanocomposite was presented by combining the reinforcement properties of silicon oxide and the mechanical and thermal stability of zinc oxide into a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer matrix via a colloidal homogenization route. The newly developed composite exhibits a hierarchical bumpy structure, leading to excellent water and oil repellent properties. Importantly, the composite possesses a robust mechanical stability to sandpaper abrasion over a distance of 2000 cm under a 100 g load and a stronger adhesion to substrate. As a result, Q235 coated with this composite exhibits an excellent corrosion resistance in saline water for up to 120 days, and a good self-cleaning and antifouling abilities in most corrosive media. This finding reveals a new pathway for resisting the corrosion attacks on Q235 carbon steel and thereby rendering this strategy with practical application in industrial and marine settings.

Photothermal superhydrophobic coating for concrete: Highly effective anti/deicing performance and corrosion resistance

Superhydrophobic concrete is an effective method to prevent corrosion of internal steel bar. However, existing superhydrophobic concrete is difficult to remove the ice on the superhydrophobic concrete surface. Here, we overcame this problem by developing a photothermal superhydrophobic coating for concrete, which obtained from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and further superhydrophobicity. This photothermal superhydrophobic coating showed the excellent superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning property, anti-fouling property, and the long anti-icing time. In addition, the ice on the coating would rapidly melt into the water which easily rolled off the surface under the irradiation of infrared light. This coating not only had the good chemical durability and mechanical durability, but also had the corrosion resistance performance. This work will enrich superhydrophobic concrete technology and promote the application of superhydrophobic concrete in practical building.

Research Progress on Preparation of Superhydrophobic Surface and Its Application in the Field of Marine Engineering

Inspired by the “Lotus Leaf Effect” in nature, the phenomenon of superhydrophobia has attracted tremendous attention from researchers. Due to their special surface wettability, the superhydrophobic surfaces have been found to have broad potential applications in the fields of marine engineering, medical equipment, and aerospace. Based on the introduction of the principles of wettability, the advantages and disadvantages of various preparation methods for superhydrophobic surfaces were studied and summarized in this paper. The research progress on superhydrophobic surfaces in marine engineering applications was analyzed according to their self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, heat transfer, drag reduction, anti-fouling, ant-icing, and oil/water separation properties. Finally, to advance practical applications, the current challenges associated with superhydrophobic surfaces are highlighted, and potential future development directions are proposed.

Enhancing Resistance to Wetting Transition through the Concave Structures.

Water-repellent superhydrophobic surfaces are ubiquitous in nature. The fundamental understanding of bio/bio-inspired structures facilitates practical applications surmounting metastable superhydrophobicity. Typically, the hierarchical structure and/or reentrant morphology have been employed hitherto to suppress the Cassie-Baxter to Wenzel transition (CWT). Herein, a new design concept is reported, an effect of concave structure, which is vital for the stable superhydrophobic surface. The thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities of the concave pillars are evaluated by continuous exposure to various hydrostatic pressures and sudden impacts of water droplets with various Weber numbers (We), comparing them to the standard superhydrophobic normal pillars. Specifically, the concave pillar exhibits reinforced impact resistance preventing CWT below a critical We of ≈27.6, which is ≈1.6 times higher than that of the normal pillar (≈17.0). Subsequently, the stability of underwater air film (plastron) is investigated at various hydrostatic pressures. The results show that convex air caps formed at the concave cavities generate downward Laplace pressure opposing the exerted hydrostatic pressure between the pillars, thus impeding the hydrostatic pressure-dependent underwater air diffusion. Hence, the effects of trapped air caps contributing to the stable Cassie-Baxter state can offer a pioneering strategy for the exploration and utilization of superhydrophobic surfaces.

Hyperslip velocity of melting ice sliding down inclined parallel ridges

A geometric and physical model for melting ice sliding over inclined superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces with parallel ridges is presented. By analyzing the micro-shear flows of molten liquid films between the ice layer and SH surfaces, the hyperslip velocities of melting ice sliding are investigated. The stick-slip boundary condition of the SH surface is used to establish the dual-series equations analytically, and the numerical solutions are implemented by truncating Fourier series and transforming the dual-series equations into linear algebraic equations to determine the hyperslip velocities of melting ice sliding. The numerical results indicate that the non-dimensional hyperslip velocities increase nonlinearly from near 0 to approximately 1.1 for longitudinal sliding and from near 0 to approximately 0.55 for transverse sliding with an increasing air groove ratio (a). The hyperslip velocities increase with increasing δ at the beginning initially (δ < 1), after which they tend toward asymptotic solutions as δ = 1. The hyperslip velocity ratio (Wh/Uh) shows that longitudinal ridges are at least twice as effective as transverse ridges in enhancing the ice hyperslip velocity, with the velocities accounting for more than 60% of the ice sliding velocities for arbitrary θ at a = 0.95 and δ = 0.1. The relative deviations between the numerical and asymptotic solutions are less than 5% at δ = 1, with the maximum relative deviation occurring at a = 0.65 for arbitrary θ.

Anti/de-icing superhydrophobic coating with durability and self-healing by infiltrating photothermal self-stratifying organic layers into plasma-sprayed porous Al2O3–13%TiO2 underlayer

Superhydrophobic coatings simultaneously exhibiting high substrate binding, mechanical durability and self-healing properties are of great significance for anti/de-icing applications. In this study, we fabricated a high substrate binding and mechanical durability anti/de-icing superhydrophobic coatings (SL-AP/SPS-SiO2) with self-healing performance by spray-coating a photothermal self-healing organic layers (AP/SPS-SiO2) plasma-sprayed porous Al2O3–13%TiO2 underlayer (SL), the resulting soft-hard interlocking structure significantly increased the adhesion strength of the coating to 16.7 ± 0.36 MPa while reducing the ice adhesion strength to 46.5 ± 3.0 kPa. In the as-obtained organic layers, self-stratifying acrylic resin (AR)/20%polymethylsiloxane (PDMS) (AP), not only enhanced the bonding strength with the underlayer but also imparted photothermal self-healing capability to the coating through the action of the photothermal agent (SPS-SiO2). And sodium alginate (SA) guided the self-oxidative polymerization of dopamine (DA) and its deposition on hydrophilic SiO2 to form a π-π stacked fiber structure photothermal agent (SPS), after hydrophobic SiO2 modification increased the coating's roughness and photothermal performance. Remarkably, the coating achieved a contact angle of up to 158.4 ± 0.89° and a rolling angle of 3.5 ± 0.89°, maintaining its superhydrophobic properties even after exposure to acid-base immersion and mechanical abrasion. Furthermore, the coating exhibited self-healing capabilities in superhydrophobicity against O2 plasma etching, with a contact angle recovery rate of up to 98.9% after undergoing 10 cycles of O2 plasma etching and light exposure. Enhancing mechanical and chemical stability with self-healing capabilities is beneficial for extending the lifespan of superhydrophobic coatings used in anti-/de-icing applications.

A surfactant-mediated dynamic protection strategy for 100% waterborne fabrication of durable superhydrophobic coatings

Waterborne preparation of superhydrophobic coatings now becomes strongly favored because of its environmental and health friendliness. However, the huge surface energy difference between low surface-energy components and water still poses a challenge for achieving their co-dispersion. Here, a surfactant-mediated protection strategy is proposed to achieve well dispersion of both SiO2 nanoparticles and perfluorosilane in water as well as block their conjugation, thereby fabricating a 100% waterborne F-FC-SiO2 suspension with high homogeneity and dispersion stability. During the painting and drying process, demulsification spontaneously triggers the deprotection and enables sufficient covalent conjugation between perfluorosilane and SiO2, thus achieving a superhydrophobic coating. This supramolecular protection/deprotection approach enables high compatibility of the F-FC-SiO2 suspension with versatile waterborne polymer emulsions (e.g., waterborne polyurethane, waterborne polysiloxane, and waterborne epoxy resin) to fabricate durable superhydrophobic coatings. The resulting composite coating can impart super-repellency to various substrates against aqueous solutions and multiple oils, displaying high antifouling and self-cleaning properties, as well as resistance to extreme mechanical abrasion and weathering. This work provides a promising approach for the convenient production of totally waterborne superhydrophobic coatings.

Maintaining solar cell efficiency realized by high-transparency dual-function SiO2 coating with self-cleaning and dust removal

Addressing the issue of dust deposition on photovoltaic (PV) panels is of profound scientific significance and practical value for enhancing PV power generation. Transparent superhydrophobic coating is expected to be applied in the self-cleaning of PV panels. However, developing the transparent superhydrophobic dust removal coatings remains a challenge. Herein, we developed a highly transparent F-SiO2 coating with dual self-cleaning and dust removal functions, composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and SiO2. The coating demonstrates a high transmittance of 97 %. After self-cleaning and dust removal tests, conversion efficiency of F-SiO2 coated PV decreased by only 0.03 % and 0.01 %, respectively, demonstrating excellent self-cleaning and dust removal performance. Additionally, the F-SiO2 exhibits high stability. Mechanism analysis of dust removal performance reveals that the decreased effective dielectric constant from the porous structure and the reduced actual contact area between the particles and the superhydrophobic surface, thereby effectively reduces the van der Waals force between dust and coating. This work provides a novel strategy to prepare self-cleaning and dust removal coatings on PV cover plate.

Fluorine-free superhydrophobic Ni/Mn-TiO2 composite coatings on carbon steel via one-step electrodeposition for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance

The application of superhydrophobic coatings on carbon steel (CS) surface represents an effective strategy for mitigating corrosion in these materials. This study presents the preparation of superhydrophobic Ni/Mn-TiO2 composite (SNMT) coatings on CS substrates through a facile one-step electrodeposition technique. The formation mechanism of SNMT coatings was meticulously analyzed under varying conditions of nanoparticle types and concentration levels. The inclusion of TiO2 nanoparticles, with an optimal additive concentration of 1 g, facilitated the formation of numerous low surface energy, cauliflower-like microstructures on CS interface. Surprisingly, the results indicate that SNMT coatings maintained commendable superhydrophobicity even post-exposure to superficial damages such as tape peeling, sandpaper wear, and knife-scratch, as evidenced by a static contact angle (CA) exceeding 158° and a sliding angle (SA) below 2°. Furthermore, the corrosion inhibition efficacy of SNMT coatings was quantitatively assessed via dynamic potential polarization curves in a simulated seawater environment. The results demonstrated that SNMT coatings exhibited excellent corrosion inhibition performance in simulated seawater solution, with a protection efficiency (PE) reaching 96.5%. In conclusion, superhydrophobic surfaces can effectively inhibit the penetration of corrosive liquids. The durability and robustness of such superhydrophobic surfaces advocate for their potential widespread application in enhancing the longevity and reliability of CS in corrosive environments.

Impregnate Carbonation: CO2-Guided In Situ Growth of Robust Superhydrophobic Structures on Concrete Surfaces.

Superhydrophobic surfaces applying on concrete can greatly improve the durability of concrete by preventing the damage from water. However, traditional design of superhydrophobic concrete surfaces by external coating encounters to problems of flaking and poor surface robustness, while that by adding hydrophobic agents or particles faces the challenges of strength damage of concrete. Drawing inspiration from the carbonation phenomenon of concrete, here a new design of in situ growing superhydrophobic structures on concrete is proposed: The concrete sample is impregnated into Mg2+-containing silane-water system with continuous CO2 injection. The contact angle of the concrete surface achieves 171.9° without obvious strength decrease after 120 min, which are mainly attributed to the formation of CaxMg1-xCO3 crystals with micro-nano-structures and the reduction of carbonates surface energy by silane. This superhydrophobic concrete structure can be divided into a superhydrophobic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic three layers structure, providing the stable water-proof protection under mechanical fatigue, capillary water absorption, UV aging, sulfate attack, and impurity water impact tests due to the in situ growing robust superhydrophobic structures. Furthermore, it captures 29.80gm-2 CO2 during the reaction process, providing new insights for the design and preparation of eco-friendly superhydrophobic concrete.

Eco-friendly fabrication of robust superhydrophobic coating with excellent anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties through using submillimeter particles as protective structure

Constructing superhydrophobic surfaces is a promising method for enhancing the anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties of metal materials. However, it is still a challenge to obtain robust superhydrophobic surfaces on metal substrate through simple and environmentally friendly methods. In this study, a robust superhydrophobic coating was fabricated on an aluminum substrate using a simple two-step method, i.e., sprinkling B4C submillimeter particles onto the aluminum substrate coated with epoxy resin (EP) to construct submillitmeter protective structure, and then dipping a mixture of EP/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles to impart superhydrophobicity. The mechanical robustness of the coating was evaluated using sandpaper abrasion, 3 M tape peeling, and sand impact tests. The results displayed that the coating maintained its superhydrophobicity after 16 m of sandpaper abrasion (3.2 kPa), 60 cycles of 3 M tape peeling, and 2500 g of sand impact, indicating the good resistance of the coating to different mechanical damages. The anti-corrosion property of the coating was measured by the electrochemistry tests, and the results confirmed that the coating possessed excellent anti-corrosion property with 34.06 times lower corrosion current density than the bare aluminum. The anti-icing property of the coating was assessed by freezing delayed time and de-icing force tests, and the results demonstrated that coating had outstanding anti-icing property with 730 s longer freezing delay time and 3–4-folds lower de-icing force than the bare aluminum. It can be excepted that the coating has a promising prospect in practical application due to its simple fabrication, good anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties and remarkable mechanical robustness.

Water collection through a directional leaf vein pattern by fast laser marker ablation of stainless-steel

Inspired by the natural water harvesting mechanisms of desert beetles, cactus thorns, and leaf veins, we designed a heterogeneous wettability surface with superhydrophilic pattern integrating leaf vein as the directional water transport main channel, attached capillary triangles as auxiliary channel plus a deep rough desorption channel on an overall superhydrophobic surface for an efficient water collection. A superhydrophilic surface was initially fabricated on the stainless steel disc by laser marker ablation allowing 1 μL droplet to spread completely to 0° within 0.12 seconds, followed by fluorine-containing coating transforming superhydrophilic surface to superhydrophobic one. Directional water transport patterns were then etched on the superhydrophobic surfaces by the secondary laser marker. The surface energy gradient and Laplace pressure induced by the pattern facilitated directional fast transport and efficient desorption of droplets, thus improving water collection efficiency. The enhancement mechanism of the water harvesting behavior for such surfaces was analyzed, with one focus on enhancing collection in hydrophobic regions with capillaries to reduce bouncing off loss and the other on improving balanced cycling of the collection process. At a fog flow rate of 1500ml/h and 20cm away from the fog outlet, the directional leaf vein-patterned 19.625cm2 sized surface demonstrated a fog water collection rate (WCR) of 5.6 Kg·m-2·h-1 and first drop collection at the 49th s, an impressively short time rarely reported. Compared to the superhydrophobic, superhydrophilic samples, and the reference, WCR increased by 180%, 62%, and 59%, respectively, and the first droplet collection time decreased by 73%, 46%, and 62%, respectively. This efficient water collection method has huge potential in arid regions.

Superhydrophobic carbon fiber composite coatings based on TC4 titanium alloy for improving corrosion resistance

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

Synthesis of novel Ag-doped ZnFe based-oxides nanocomposite for wastewater treatment, self-cleaning, and corrosion resistance

To tackle the critical environmental and industrial challenges, this research endeavors to develop nanomaterial with enhanced photocatalytic function, corrosion resistance, self-cleaning capabilities, and optimal effluent treatment. This research successfully synthesized Ag@ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of Congo red from water. The structural composition and morphology of the materials were examined by the utilization of XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM with EDS and TEM. The study examined the impacts of catalyst dosage, concentrations of PMS, pH, and simultaneous ions on the experiment, as well as the ability of the nanocomposites to be reused and their stability. The photocatalytic degradation process was hypothesized to operate using free radical trapping tests. Results indicated that the heterostructure junction flanked by ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and Ag promoted charge transfer, reducing electron-hole recombination. By adding 5mg of Ag@ZnFe₂O₄ nanocomposite, Congo red degradation was optimized at 98.7% due to the huge surface area of Ag microflowers, which boosted active sites and CR elimination. Due to nanoparticle surface charge, PMS speciation, and radical interactions, CR degradation was most efficient at pH 7.3 and less efficient at pH 9.5. CR degradation rates rose with PMS concentration, reaching 34.7%, 67.9%, and 97.9% at 0.3, 0.6, and 1mM, respectively. The order of the inhibitory action was CO32− > H2PO4− > Cl− > NO3−. Free radical entrapment experiments show that hydroxyl (•OH) and sulfate radicals (•SO₄⁻) are key in CR photodegradation, with h+ and •O₂ being the main active species. ESR tests revealed radicals, while electron transfer between ZnFe₂O₄ and Ag boosted carrier migration, driving redox cycles and CR breakdown into stable byproducts like CO₂ and H₂O. Light-induced reaction eliminated 45.8% of TOC, indicating CR partial mineralization. Mechanism of PMS-based photodegradation of CR removal was proposed. This study underscores the promising potential of Ag@ZnFe2O4/nanocomposites for PMS activation in degrading Congo red-contaminated wastewater. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that a polymeric nanocomposite coating greatly improves the ability to resist corrosion in steel substrates when exposed to a 3.5% NaCl solution. This is achieved by reducing the corrosion current density and boosting corrosion resistance. Superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings repel water and pollutants, safeguarding various substrates from soil residues.

Sustainable furfural bis-thymol based benzoxazines: Superhydrophobic, aggregation induced emission and corrosion resistant properties

Sustainable bis-thymol based benzoxazines have been synthesized using furfural bis-thymol (FBT) and paraformaldehyde separately with five different fluorine substituted amines through Mannich condensation process. The molecular structure of the obtained benzoxazines has been verified using spectroscopic analyses. The curing temperature of the synthesized benzoxazines are ranged between 241°C and 277°C. Among the synthesized polybenzoxazines, poly(FBT-pfa) exhibits the highest thermal stability of 52% char yield. All the polybenzoxazines exhibit the value of LOI above the threshold limit of 26 which infers the self-extinguishing property of the polymer. Poly(FBT-pfsa) showed the highest value of water contact angle of 151o, which ascertains that the increased fluorine content contributes to the superhydrophobic nature. Results from hydrophobic durability studies with poly(FBT-pfsa) using coated cotton fabric under acidic and basic conditions indicate its suitability for hydrophobic applications. The corrosion protection ability of polybenzoxazines towards mild steel surfaces was studied and the results obtained suggest that these polybenzoxazines can be used as an excellent coating material. UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopic analyses infer that these benzoxazines exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE) characteristics. Data from different studies suggest that these materials can be conveniently utilized in the form of optical, superhydrophobic and corrosion-resistant coatings.

Enhancing durability and oil-water separation efficiency with plasma-treated graphene oxide coated mesh

In recent years, there has been a surge in interest surrounding the fabrication and utilization of superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces, driven by their exceptional functionalities and properties. Graphene Oxide (GO) has inherent hydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity, which has made this material a particularly capable candidate for oil-water separation. Addressing the persistent challenge of efficient oil-water separation in industrial contexts, this study presents the fabrication of a GO-coated stainless steel mesh via a facile dip coating method augmented by an intermediate two-step O2 plasma treatment. The coated meshes were tested with various oil and water mixtures, including neutral, acidic, saline, and hot water, to find separation efficiency and recyclability. Notably, the meshes can achieve excellent separation efficiency of approximately 98.9 % and a superior flux of 11,464 L m−2 h−1 driven by gravity. This is a significant improvement over GO-coated meshes without O2 plasma treatment. Moreover, the plasma-treated meshes exhibit robust long-term durability and chemical stability, maintaining high underwater oil contact angles ≥119° even after extended immersion in diverse pH mediums and salt solutions for 150 days. This work showcases the practical viability of plasma-treated GO-coated meshes for oil-water separation applications and establishes a framework for systematically evaluating their long-term performance in harsh immersion conditions.

Designing lotus-like superhydrophobic self-cleaning surface using carbon nanotubes

Designing lotus-like superhydrophobic self-cleaning surface using carbon nanotubes

Electrostatic Spraying of Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide-Infused Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene Powders: A Thermally-Induced, VOC-Free Antibacterial Superhydrophobic Coating

This study introduces an environmentally friendly method to create a superhydrophobic antibacterial coating using electrostatic powder spraying. The process utilizes ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) and zinc carbonate hydroxide (ZCH) powders and no organic solvent was used. The resulting coating takes advantage of ETFE's hydrophobic properties and the microstructure generated from ZCH's thermal decomposition, producing a micrometer-scale porous structure with a water contact angle of 165°. It demonstrates strong adhesion to substrates, fulfilling grade 0 standards as per GB/T 9286-2021 / ISO 2409:2020. Following 3 cycles of the falling-sand test, as outlined by ISO/TS 10689:2023, the contact angle impressively remains above 150°, underscoring its extraordinary resistance in contrast to coatings described in literature that typically endure just about 1 cycle. Even after 10 cycles of high-speed water jet impacts following ISO/TS 10689:2023, it maintains a water contact angle of 145°, equivalent to resisting ten years of continuous rainfall based on ISO/TS 10689:2023. The coating's antibacterial effectiveness, stemming from its superhydrophobic characteristics and the antibacterial properties of ZnO produced by ZCH decomposition, achieves inhibition rates of 99.6% and 99.8% against E. coli (ATCC 25922) and S. aureus (ATCC 6538) respectively, highlighting its significant potential for practical applications.

Hierarchy-constructed superhydrophobic and transparent coating modified intraocular lens by layer-by-layer self-assembly for glistening reduction and antiadhesion

Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation surgery is the most effective treatment for cataract. However, glistening formed by the incoming liquid microvacuoles can significantly damage postoperative visual quality after prolonged implantation, for which there is still lack of effective clinical treatment. In this study, inspired by the amazing water-repellency of natural superhydrophobic surface, a functionalized IOL material modified with the superhydrophobic and transparent coating was prepared using layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly technique combined with fluorination. After the alternate deposition of multiple cationic/anionic polyelectrolytes and silica nanoparticles of varying sizes on IOL materials, the constructed multilayered films with special surface roughness were further fluorinated to reduce surface energy. In addition to its excellent superhydrophobicity and transparency, this multilayered coating could efficiently eliminate the glistening formation of IOL under accelerated condition in vitro. Furthermore, the in vitro experiments with water droplets, cells, and bacteria suggested the superior antiadhesion property of such coating modified materials. The biocompatibility evaluation, both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrated the great biocompatibility of the materials modified with superhydrophobic and transparent coating. Therefore, this multilayered coating with excellent superhydrophobic and transparent characteristics can provide an available approach aiming at anti-glistening and antiadhesion of IOL materials. Advances in the fabrication process of surface coating with specific functions will enhance the practical application and clinical success of modified IOLs.

Functionalisation of the Aluminium Surface by CuCl2 Chemical Etching and Perfluoro Silane Grafting: Enhanced Corrosion Protection and Improved Anti-Icing Behaviour

This study aimed to prepare a facile hierarchical aluminium surface using a two-step process consisting of chemical etching in selected concentrations of CuCl2 solution and surface grafting through immersion in an ethanol solution containing 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane. The goal was to achieve superhydrophobic characteristics on the aluminium surface, including enhanced corrosion resistance, efficient self-cleaning ability, and improved anti-icing performance. The surface characterisation of the untreated aluminium and treated in CuCl2 solutions of different concentrations was performed using contact profilometry, optical tensiometry, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine the surface topography, wettability, morphology, and surface composition. The corrosion properties were evaluated using potentiodynamic measurements in simulated acid rain solution and salt-spray test according to ASTM B117-22. In addition, self-cleaning and anti-icing tests were performed on superhydrophobic surfaces prepared under optimal conditions. The results showed that the nano-/micro-structured etched aluminium surface with an optimal 0.5 M concentration of CuCl2 grafted with a perfluoroalkyl silane film achieved superhydrophobic characteristics, with water droplets exhibiting efficient corrosion protection, self-cleaning ability, and improved anti-icing performance with decreased ice nucleation temperature and up to 545% increased freezing delay.