Surface Free Energy Of Coatings Research Articles

Advanced properties of gold nanoparticles obtained by using long-chain secondary amine for phase transfer from water to chloroform

We have conducted a new comparison of gold nanoparticles functionalized by primary- and secondary amine with the same chain length. Our hypothesis suggests that the adaptive steric conformation of the secondary amine molecular branches makes a marked additional contribution to the well-established role of the ligand chain length. We characterize the importance of this factor based on diOctadecylamine (diODA) and Octadecylamine (ODA) passivated gold nanoparticles by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and selective area electron diffraction (SAED). The results evidenced that the diODA coordination to the inorganic core forms a more efficient and impenetrable protective coating. The SAED patterns show a more homogeneous distribution of the small crystalline domains in the gold core. TEM images show a smooth spherical shape of the diODA nanoparticles and a lack of interparticle coalescence cases. The diODA-passivation provides nanoparticles with nearly twice the effective ligand length than its ODA equivalent. This results in their spontaneous arrangement in domains with expressed crystal-like order despite the relatively large size-dispersity before passivation. The surface free energy of coatings, formed by diODA passivated gold nanoparticles, is twice as small as measured on the ODA-nanoparticle-coated surfaces.

Surface free energy of graphene-based coatings and its component elements

There has been an increase in research into the surface free energy of low-dimensional materials in recent years. Graphene-based composites are increasingly popular in industry as coating materials. The surface free energy of graphene is crucial for interfacial adherence to supporting substrates. In this article, the surface free energy of coatings made of graphite base, graphene, and graphene oxide is evaluated critically based on the provided contact angle data using a variety of techniques, such as the Zisman, Neumann, Fowkes, Owens-Wendt-Fowkes, and van Oss, Chaudhury, Good method. It was found that the average surface energies of graphene, graphene oxide, and graphite were respectively 44.8 ± 14.7, 47.9 ± 7.2, and 53.6 ± 2.1 mJ.m-2. The dispersive components of graphene, graphene oxide, and graphite are 38.4 ± 9.5, 38.3 ± 4.0, and 50.6 ± 3.6 mJ.m-2, respectively, while the polar components are 4.8 ± 4.9, 9.9 ± 4.2, and 2.8 ± 1.5 mJ.m-2. The current analysis can be used to develop graphene-based composites for the coatings sector.

The effect of surface chemistry on anti-soiling properties of transparent perfluoroalkyl and alkyl modified silica coatings

Various physical and chemical surface parameters, e.g., surface roughness and surface chemistry, contribute to anti-soiling (AS) properties. Nevertheless, the effect of surface chemistry has not been distinctly elucidated yet. In this study, a set of mechanically stable and durable hydrophobic AS coatings with controlled surface chemistry were synthesized, while surface roughness was kept below 1 nm. Fluoroalkylsilane (FAS), alkylsilane (AL), and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were employed for synthesis. Surface chemistry and surface roughness were quantified by XPS and AFM. A soiling lab simulator was designed to accelerate the soiling process. AS properties were quantified by UV–vis spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The surface free energy of coatings was estimated through (polar and apolar liquids) contact angle measurements (ranging from 16 to 30 mN/m), and a clear correlation was discovered between the AS properties and surface free energy. Moreover, mechanical properties and weathering resistance of the coatings were analyzed by nano-indentation and QUV accelerated weathering tester. While all coatings showed acceptable AS properties (transmission loss after dust deposition between 1/5 and 2/5 of uncoated glass) and excellent mechanical strength (above 27 GPa modulus and 2 GPa hardness), FAS-based coatings showed a significantly higher durability against weathering as compared to the AL-based ones.

A cytocompatible micro/nano-textured surface with Si-doped titania mesoporous arrays fabricated by a one-step anodization

To mimic the hierarchical structure of bone tissues, a hybrid micro/nano-textured titanium surface with Si-doped TiO2 mesoporous arrays is fabricated by a one-step high current anodization (HCA). Specifically, the HCA is carried out in a electrolyte containing NO3− and SiO32−. The NO3− in the electrolyte is demonstrated to play a key role in mediating the formation of honeycombed TiO2 mesoporous arrays, which are different than the nanotubes formed by the mediating of F− ion in the conventional anodization. This unique structure endows the coating with improved mechanical properties compared to the nanotube layer. In addition, the Si is incorporated into the coating in a concentration-dependent manner. With the increase of Si doping amount in the coating, both the hydrophilic properties and surface free energy of coatings are obviously enhanced. The cell culture test shows that the osteoblast behaviors on this surface are positively influenced by the doped Si. Therefore, this micro/nano-textured surface coating doped with Si may endow the Ti-based implants long-term stability and good osseointegration.

Surface free energy of non-stick coatings deposited using closed field unbalanced magnetron sputter ion plating

Semiconductor IC packaging molding dies require wear resistance, corrosion resistance and non-sticking (with a low surface free energy). The molding releasing capability and performance are directly associated with the surface free energy between the coating and product material. The serious sticking problem reduces productivity and reliability. Depositing TiN, TiMoS, ZrN, CrC, CrN, NiCr, NiCrN, CrTiAlN and CrNiTiAlN coatings using closed field unbalanced magnetron sputter ion plating, and characterizing their surface free energy are the main object in developing a non-stick coating system for semiconductor IC molding tools. The contact angle of water, diiodomethane and ethylene glycol on the coated surfaces were measured at temperature in 20 °C using a Dataphysics OCA-20 contact angle analyzer. The surface free energy of the coatings and their components (dispersion and polar) were calculated using the Owens–Wendt geometric mean approach. The surface roughness was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adhesion force of these coatings was measured using direct tensile pull-off test apparatus. The experimental results showed that NiCrN, CrN and NiCrTiAlN coatings outperformed TiN, ZrN, NiCr, CiTiAlN, CrC and TiMoS coatings in terms of non-sticking, and thus have the potential as working layers for injection molding industrial equipment, especially in semiconductor IC packaging molding applications.

Effect of temperature on the surface free energy of amorphous carbon films.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) have attracted much attention recently for biomedical and antifouling applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and inherent nonstick properties. It has been demonstrated that the solid surface free energy is a dominant factor in cellular or fouling adhesion. However, few data for the surface free energy of DLC and ta-C coatings at temperatures in the range 37-95 degrees C are available. In this study DLC and ta-C coatings on stainless steel 304 sheets were prepared using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering system and a filtered cathodic vacuum arc system, respectively. The contact angles of water, diiodomethane and ethylene glycol on the coated surfaces at temperatures in the range 20-95 degrees C were measured using a Dataphysics OCA-20 contact angle analyzer. The surface free energy of the coatings and their components (e.g., dispersion, polar or acid/base portions) were calculated using various methods. The experimental results showed that the total surface free energy and dispersive surface free energy of the ta-C coatings, DLC coatings, stainless steel 304 and titanium decreased with increasing surface temperature, while the acid-base SFE component increased with increasing temperature.