Thin Surface Research Articles

Novel structural determinants and bacterial death-related regulatory effects of the scorpion defensin BmKDfsin4 against gram-positive bacteria

Numerous defensins constitute a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides with high degrees of sequence variability, and in-depth characterization of their structural basis and antibacterial mechanisms remains limited. Here, a representative scorpion defensin, BmKDfsin4, with two distinct hydrophobic and basic residue clusters, was extensively investigated. The hydrophobic residue cluster, formed by Phe2, Pro5, Phe6, Phe28 and Leu29 residues, strongly influences the antibacterial activity of BmKDfsin4 against Gram-positive bacteria. Compared with the three scattered Lys13, Lys30 and Arg32 residues, the basic residue cluster, consisting of the Arg19, Arg20, Arg21 and Arg37 residues, played a less important role. The synergistic interaction between the basic residue cluster and Arg32 significantly affected BmKDfsin4 function. The bacterial growth inhibition by BmKDfsin4 was associated with regulating expression levels of cell division-related genes, cell wall synthesis-related genes and bacterial autolysis-related genes rather than destroying the bacterial cell membrane. The coincubation of BmKDfsin4 with the bacterial strains induced gradual changes in the bacterial surface from a rough and thin surface to a noticeably wrinkled surface together with abundant white spots and even complete cavities within the bacteria. These findings revealed novel structural determinants and bacterial death-related regulatory effects of the defensin BmKDfsin4 and highlighted diverse antibacterial mechanisms of defensins.

Advancing Multi‐Optical Performances in Lanthanide‐Doped Fluoride Core@Shell Nanoarchitectures by Minimizing Cation Intermixing

AbstractCore/shell structures are widely employed to enhance photoluminescence efficiency and manipulate excitation dynamics in lanthanide‐doped fluoride nanoparticles (NPs). However, prominent cation intermixing leads to significant deviations from the expected optical performances, presenting a formidable challenge in a deeper understanding of the chemical processes involved, as well as developing efficient suppression methods. Here, a reliable and facile multi‐optical reference strategy to reveal the integral cation intermixing processes is designed. This strategy analyzes the presence of Ce3+ ions in the core (or shell) and their influences on near‐infrared light‐triggered upconversion (UC), ultraviolet (UV)‐activated downshifting (DS), and X‐ray‐excited optical/persistent luminescence (XEOL/XEPL) of Tb3+ ions in the shell (or core). The results demonstrate that a thin surface layer of core NPs dissolves to reach dissolution equilibrium, which then distributes throughout the entire shell layer, rather than being confined to an interfacial region. It is further developed an improved technique to greatly inhibit cation intermixing by successive shell growth with excessive cation precursors, enabling superior multi‐optical performances, including UC, DS, XEOL/XEPL, and time‐dependent multicolor evolution. The findings significantly advance the development of lanthanide‐doped fluoride core/shell NPs with superior optical performances, broadening their potential applications in bio‐medicine, healthcare, industrial inspection, and optical information science.

Wireless Powered Surface Acoustic Wave Platform for Achieving Integrated Functions of Fogging/Icing Protection and Monitoring.

In this study, we introduced an integrated approach using piezoelectric thin film-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) and wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies, designed for both passive monitoring and active defogging/icing functions. We systematically investigated the resonant frequency shifts of ZnO/glass SAW devices, establishing their correlations with variations in humidity and temperature under cold conditions. Acoustic waves generated through the ZnO/glass SAW device were used for defogging and deicing functions with effects of RF powers and acousto-heating thoroughly evaluated. More significantly, the WPT system was successfully applied for achieving defogging and deicing functions, with its performance comparable to that of conventional wired SAW systems. Our findings demonstrated that the WPT SAW system significantly minimizes localized acousto-heating effects, although the time taken for both defogging and deicing was slightly longer than the wired system. This work represents a significant advancement in developing multifunctional, optically compatible, and wireless-integrated solutions for SAW based ice protection.

Fractal analyses of AlxGa1−xN thin film surfaces on AlN at different annealing temperatures

The determination of heteromorphological structures formed on the surface during annealing of AlxGa1−xN thin film grown on sapphire substrate using the metal organic chemical vapor deposition technique at different temperatures was investigated by fractal analysis method. The images of the surfaces of the thin films were taken by atomic force microscopy (AFM) at temperatures of 900, 1000, 1050 and 1200 °C respectively. AFM images were digitised in bitmap format according to the annealing temperatures. It was determined that the fractal dimensions obtained a linear correlation with the annealing temperatures. The results confirm the hypothesis that surface relaxation by the thermal action can produce fractal-like structures at particle or cluster boundaries. It is found that the observed cluster formation of superficial particles decreases as increasing temperature. The increase in temperature reduces the rate of superficial particle coating. To determine the surface roughness of the AlxGa1−xN thin film according to the annealing temperature, the AFM images were digitized in tagged image file format and the statistical root mean square, mean value, mean roughness, skewness and kurtosis values of the films were calculated. The roughness is a result of the thin film surface heteromorphology formed due to the specific annealing process. It is proved that the fractal dimensions of the AlxGa1−xN thin film increase as the annealing temperature rises. The particles coalesce on the surface and cluster in different types and sizes at each different annealing temperature, forming islets of different sizes. The skewness and kurtosis values show a different and irregular change.

Asphalt pavement structural competency during staged airfield runway construction strategy

ABSTRACT This paper reports the results from a full-scale evaluation of asphalt pavement structural competency during a multi-stage construction strategy. The staged pavement construction included three stages: (1) new conventional asphalt pavement, (2) unpaved full depth reclaimed (FDR) pavement, and (3) thin surface asphalt paved FDR layer. The full-scale pavement sections consisted of a standard and substandard pavement structural design. The accelerated pavement testing (APT) experiments were executed by simulating the loading conditions of an aircraft with a critical combination of relatively high wheel load and high tire inflation pressure. The structural capacity of the pavement test items was monitored using a falling weight deflectometer. From this study, the staged pavement construction concept was found to be a potential approach to extend the service life of asphalt pavements. Unpaved FDR layers are structurally competent to support a low volume of aircraft operations. These findings support the transition to the use of asphalt pavements containing an FDR layer from an experimental to routine rehabilitation practice for airfield asphalt pavements.

The Crucial Triad: Endothelial Glycocalyx, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Cardiac Surgery-Exploring the Molecular Connections.

Since its introduction, the number of heart surgeries has risen continuously. It is a high-risk procedure, usually involving cardiopulmonary bypass, which is associated with an inflammatory reaction that can lead to perioperative and postoperative organ dysfunction. The extent of complications following cardiac surgery has been the focus of interest for several years because of their impact on patient outcomes. Recently, numerous scientific efforts have been made to uncover the complex mechanisms of interaction between inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction that occur after cardiac surgery. Numerous factors, such as surgical and anesthetic techniques, hypervolemia and hypovolemia, hypothermia, and various drugs used during cardiac surgery trigger the development of systemic inflammatory response and the release of oxidative species. They affect the endothelium, especially endothelial glycocalyx (EG), a thin surface endothelial layer responsible for vascular hemostasis, its permeability and the interaction between leukocytes and endothelium. This review highlights the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in endothelial dysfunction, particularly in the degradation of EG. In addition, the major inflammatory events and oxidative stress responses that occur in cardiac surgery, their interaction with EG, and the clinical implications of these events have been summarized and discussed in detail. A better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac surgery, leading to endothelial dysfunction, is needed to improve patient management during and after surgery and to develop effective strategies to prevent adverse outcomes that complicate recovery.

Mass transfer during drop impact on a thin film

We conducted an axisymmetric numerical study of drop impact on a thin film of the same liquid in order to generate maps identifying the fluid elements in the drop and film that are transferred to the corolla during impact. We find that mass contribution from the drop comes from a surprisingly thin surface layer on the drop, and furthermore, that the shape of this layer in the drop and the film scales with film thickness, not the Weber number and Reynolds number as one might expect. The maps could be used to tailor drop composition for applications such as coatings or encapsulations.

Surface Regulation via Carboxylate Polymer for Efficient and Stable CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells.

CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a promising candidate for high-efficiency single-junction and tandem solar cells. However, due to the numerous surface defects of the CsPbI2Br film and the mismatch of energy levels at the CsPbI2Br/charge transport layer interface, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CsPbI2Br PSC is still significantly lower than the theoretical limits. To alleviate those issues, in this work, a carboxylate-based p-type polymer, TTC-Cl, is employed to modify the surface of CsPbI2Br layer. TTC-Cl can interact with uncoordinated Pb2+, thereby mitigating surficial defects of CsPbI2Br film and reducing non-radiative recombination losses. Furthermore, TTC-Cl also improves the band properties of the CsPbI2Br thin film surface, rendering it more p-type, which facilitates hole transport. Consequently, the CsPbI2Br PSCs with TTC-Cl modification achieve a remarkable PCE of 17.81%, which is notably higher than that of counterpart without TTC-Cl (15.87%). Moreover, CsPbI2Br PSCs with TTC-Cl modification also exhibit better stability. This work highlights the importance of surface regulation via carboxylate polymer for further enhancing the performance of CsPbI2Br PSCs.

Evaluating copper plating process for filling micro vias with thin surface Cu by the 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-mercapto-1H-tetrazole additive

The 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-mercapto-1 h-tetrazole (CMHT) as a novel leveler for the overfilling of micro-blind vias was investigated in acidic copper electroplating. The synergistic effect between CMHT and other additives were confirmed through chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed a convection-dependent interaction between the CMHT and suppressor (propyleneoxide (PO)-ethylene oxide (EO)-propylene oxide (PO), named PEP). Metallographic section testing demonstrated that the CMHT not only have excellent microvia filling performances, but also only have 19.1 μm thin surface Cu for micro blind vias with a diameter of 150 µm and a depth of 80 µm by the electrodepositing 60 min of 2 A/dm2. The quantum chemical calculations experiments revealed also that the CMHT parallel orientation of the benzene ring and tetrazole heterocycle can enhance the effective adsorption area. The obtained results from electrochemical test and quantum chemical calculations were in reasonably good agreement.

Aerostructural Analysis of a Deployable Aeroshell in Transonic Flow

The deployable aeroshell, a contemporary reentry system, utilizes a thin flexible membrane surface sustained by pressurized gas to efficiently decelerate a reentry vehicle at high altitudes while enabling low-ballistic-coefficient flight. When an in-flight aerodynamic force is applied, the membrane structure undergoes large deformation that may affect its performance. Hence, a coupled analysis that considers the feedback effect of structural deformation is essential for accurately predicting the behavior of such reentry vehicles. In this study, a numerical framework for coupled aeroelastic analysis was constructed in a partitioned manner using open-source software to elucidate the combined effect of structural deformation and compressible flow dynamics and characterize the aerodynamic performance of reentry vehicles with inflatable structures. The results revealed that the membrane surface was deformed elastically by the aerodynamic force owing to the large difference in pressure distribution between the front and back of the aeroshell. Fluctuating behavior was observed in the aerodynamic coefficients owing to the small-amplitude oscillation of the capsule. This oscillation was induced by the large wake behind the vehicle. Several wrinkles and concave-shaped depressions formed on the membrane surface, which exhibited a circumferential movement tendency with time.

Densification of Cathode/Electrolyte Interphase to Enhance Reversibility of LiCoO2 at 4.65V.

For LiCoO2 (LCO) operated beyond 4.55V (vs Li/Li+), it usually suffers from severe surface degradation. Constructing a robust cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI) is effective to alleviate the above issues, however, the correlated mechanisms still remain vague. Herein, a progressively reinforced CEI is realized via constructing Zr─O deposits (ZrO2 and Li2ZrO3) on LCO surface (i.e., Z-LCO). Upon cycle, these Zr─O deposits can promote the decomposition of LiPF6, and progressively convert to the highly dispersed Zr─O─F species. In particular, the chemical reaction between LiF and Zr─O─F species further leads to the densification of CEI, which greatly reinforces its toughness and conductivity. Combining the robust CEI and thin surface rock-salt layer of Z-LCO, several benefits are achieved, including stabilizing the surface lattice oxygen, facilitating the interface Li+ transport kinetics, and enhancing the reversibility of O3/H1-3 phase transition, etc. As a result, the Z-LCO||Li cells exhibit a high capacity retention of 84.2% after 1000 cycles in 3-4.65V, 80.9% after 1500 cycles in 3-4.6V, and a high rate capacity of 160mAhg-1 at 16 C (1 C=200mAg-1). This work provides a new insight for developing advanced LCO cathodes.

Characterization and Ambient Temperature Hydrogen Sulfide Sensing of Annealed NiO-MnO₂ Thin Films Prepared via Jet Nebulizer Spray Pyrolysis

A jet nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique to synthesize NiO-MnO2 thin films was demonstrated. These nanosheets were annealed at 350, 450 and 550 °C for 2 hours. The thin films surface morphology and structure were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, XRD, and UV spectroscopy. Subsequently, utilized as gas sensors for the detection of hydrogen sulphide gas. The introduction of NiO into MnO2 nanosheets significantly improved the gas-sensing performance. Notably, the gas-sensing response of the NiO-MnO2 nanosheet sensor surpassed that of both NiO and MnO2 alone, reaching a notable value of 165 when detecting 100 ppm hydrogen sulfide gas with the NiO-MnO2 thin film sensor. A remarkable feature of the NiO-MnO2 thin film sensor is its accelerated response time, registering at 10 seconds when exposed to 100 ppm of hydrogen sulfide gas. The mechanism underlying gas sensing and the factors contributing to the enhanced gas response of NiO-MnO2 thin film is thoroughly discussed. From a broader perspective, these developed sensors present a novel platform for the identification and monitoring of hydrogen sulfide gas, showcasing significant advancements in gas-sensing technology.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of in situ forming polyester implants for the extended release of carvedilol.

Polyester based in situ forming implants (ISFIs) are injectable long-acting drug delivery systems that offer a wide range of unique advantages. As a result of these advantages, two relatively highmolecular weight, ester terminated grades of poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) were evaluated for their ability (i) to form ISFIs loaded with carvedilol, and (ii) to control its release both in vitro and in vivo. At a polymeric concentration of 40% w/w, implant solutions were syringeable, injectable, and able to encapsulate carvedilol to a high degree (encapsulated drug% > 97%). When visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), implants were found to have a dense thin surface atop porous sublayers. As for their in vitro evaluation, PLGA and PLA implants were able to maintain drug release over the course of 49 and 84 days, respectively. On the other hand, in vivo drug release from both implants was almost identical and lasted for only 42 days. This may be due to the overriding effect of the similar host environment at the injection site that diminished the effect of polymeric physiochemistry on phase inversion and drug release. Lastly, while the polymer-free drug/NMP solution completely released its drug content within the initial half hour in vitro, the formulation extended drug release in vivo. This could be due to a yet to be investigated interaction between carvedilol and NMP under in vivo conditions. These results cement the significance of formulating carvedilol loaded ISFIs for the management of chronic conditions.

Unsteady relationships between instantaneous surface heat flux, instantaneous surface temperature, and tracked shock wave phenomena

Investigated are unsteady relationships between surface heat flux variations, surface temperature fluctuations, and tracked shock wave phenomena. The level of coherence and time lag between events at different flow locations are used to quantify the associated interactions at different frequencies. With this approach, time-varying surface heat flux and surface temperature fluctuations are used to track events at different flow locations relative to unsteadiness associated with the test section inlet and relative to unsteadiness associated with different shock wave phenomena. Employed for the investigation is a specialty test section with an inlet Mach number of 1.54, which contains a normal shock wave, a lambda foot (which is comprised of an upstream oblique shock wave leg, and a downstream oblique shock wave leg), and a flow separation zone beneath the lambda foot. High and low unsteady Mach wave intensity levels are produced at the test section inlet by different numbers and different amounts of unsteadiness of families of intersecting and interacting Mach waves, as these are located within and just downstream of the test section entrance. When correlated with respect to normal shock wave tracked locations, values and magnitudes of the most highly correlated frequency bands are different depending upon the level of test section inlet unsteady Mach wave intensity, and the location where unsteady flow events originate. With low freestream unsteady Mach wave intensity at the test section inlet, unsteady events are generally present at normal shockwave locations prior to times when their influences are present at thin film temperature and heat flux gage surface locations. The presence of high unsteady Mach wave intensity at the test section inlet produces an environment wherein the low Mach wave intensity inlet flow is overwhelmed by highly active Mach wave fluctuations, when they are present, such that the normal shock wave is no longer a primary originating source of flow unsteadiness.

Magnetron sputtered nickel oxide with suppressed interfacial defect states for efficient inverted perovskite solar cells

Widely used spin-coated nickle oxide (NiOx) based perovskite solar cells often suffer from severe interfacial reactions between the NiOx and adjacent perovskite layers due to surface defect states, which inherently impair device performance in a long-term view, even with surface molecule passivation. In this study, we developed high-quality magnetron-sputtered NiOx thin films through detailed process optimization, and compared systematically sputtered and spin-coated NiOx thin film surfaces from materials to devices. These sputtered NiOx films exhibit improved crystallinity, smoother surfaces, and significantly reduced Ni3+ or Ni vacancies compared to their spin-coated counterparts. Consequently, the interface between the perovskite and sputtered NiOx film shows a substantially reduced density of defect states. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) fabricated with our optimally sputtered NiOx films achieved a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 19.93% and demonstrated enhanced stability, maintaining 86.2% efficiency during 500 h of maximum power point tracking under one standard sun illumination. Moreover, with the surface modification using (4-(2,7-dibromo-9,9-dimethylacridin-10(9H)-yl)butyl)phosphonic acid (DMAcPA), the device PCE was further promoted to 23.07%, which is the highest value reported for sputtered NiOx based PSCs so far.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Prorocentrum bidens (formerly known as P. compressum) and description of the closely related Prorocentrum bisaeptum sp. nov. (Prorocentrales, Dinophyceae)

ABSTRACT The genus Prorocentrum is diverse and comprises mostly marine dinoflagellates with a worldwide distribution. One large, common and easily recognizable planktonic species of Prorocentrum was known for a long time as P. compressum. This name, however, is incorrectly linked to a basionym of a diatom. The confusing taxonomy of the now also lectotypified diatom name was recently resolved, and the next younger available name, Prorocentrum bidens, was proposed for the dinoflagellate species. Based on multiple strains from various localities we here provide the first detailed morphological study of P. bidens thereby propagating the correct nomenclature of this species. The cells of one strain differed consistently from material assigned to P. bidens, and Prorocentrum bisaeptum sp. nov. is described here to represent this closely related species. Both species possessed two pyrenoids per chloroplast and shared the arrangement of ten periflagellar platelets, including subdivisions of platelets 6 and 8. Cells of both species were either fully motile or, in an encapsulated stage, enclosed with actively beating flagella in a hyaline flexible envelope bounded by a thin surface layer. Prorocentrum bisaeptum differs from P. bidens by a more elongated shape of the cells and by a smooth (not foveate) surface of the thecal plates. Most importantly, one to four cells of P. bisaeptum are consistently enclosed within two nesting envelopes, whereas there is only one such structure tightly surrounding one or two cells of P. bidens. This study increases and improves our knowledge of the diversity within this important group of planktonic organisms.

Optimizing Powder-to-Liquid Ratios in Lost Foam Casting Coatings: Impacts on Viscosity, Shear Thinning Behavior, Coating Weight, and Surface Morphology

This study explores the effects of the powder-to-liquid ratio on the performance characteristics of lost foam casting coatings. The investigation focuses on how variations in this ratio affect key properties, including apparent viscosity, shear thinning behavior, coating weight, and surface morphology. Through a series of controlled experiments, coatings were prepared with different powder-to-liquid ratios and assessed for their physical and application properties. The results indicate that increasing the powder-to-liquid ratio raises the apparent viscosity and modifies shear thinning behavior. Notably, ratios exceeding 2.0 result in a sharp increase in viscosity that impedes coating application. The optimal powder-to-liquid ratio was determined to be between 2.0 and 2.2, where coatings demonstrated enhanced uniformity, improved particle distribution, and superior surface morphology. Coating weight increased up to a ratio of 2.2 but decreased beyond this threshold due to excessive viscosity. Both microscopic and macroscopic analyses confirmed that a ratio of 2.0 to 2.2 strikes the best balance for coating performance. These findings underscore the importance of precise powder-to-liquid ratio control to optimize the quality of lost foam casting coatings, offering valuable insights for refining coating formulations and application techniques in industrial contexts.

Surface Development of Polyethylene Terephthalate Films Using Low-Pressure, High-Frequency Argon + Oxygen Plasma on Zinc Powder for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

This research has developed a process for producing ZnO thin film from DEZn deposited onto a PET substrate with low-pressure, high-frequency Ar + O2 plasma using a chemical vapor deposition technique. The aim is to study the film production conditions that affect electrical properties, optical properties, and thin film surfaces. This work highlights the use of plasma energy produced from a mixture of gases between Ar + O2. Plasma production is stimulated by an RF power supply to deliver high chemical energy and push ZnO atoms from the cathode inside the reactor onto the substrate through surface chemical reactions. The results showed that increasing the RF power in plasma production affected the chemical reactions on the substrate surface of film formations. Film preparation at an RF power of 300 W will result in the thickest films. The film has a continuous columnar formation, and the surface has a granular structure. This results in the lowest electrical resistivity of 1.8 × 10-4 Ω. In addition, when fabricated into a DSSC device, the device tested the PCE value and showed the highest value at 5.68%. The reason is due to the very rough surface nature of the ZnO film, which increases the scattering and storage of sunlight, making cells more efficient. Therefore, the benefit of this research is that it will be a highly efficient prototype of thin film production technology using a chemical process that reduces production costs and can be used in the industrial development of solar cells.

Investigation of effective parameters on Fe/Ta thin films by plasma focus device: number of shots and distance from tip anode

This experimental investigation is the first to generate a surface iron-tantalum (Fe/Ta) alloy as a sublayer-layer using a plasma focus device. Examining how ion beams from a plasma focus device alloy iron and tantalum with varying melting points is one of the key objectives of this study. Fe/Ta thin film nanostructure and surface morphology were also examined. The distance from the tip anode and the varied number of shots are the experimental variables. Although tantalum's melting point (3020 ∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ{\\rm C}$$\\end{document}) is generally known to be near to that of iron (2862 ∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ{\\rm C}$$\\end{document}), it is possible that iron vaporizes and partial alloying of iron with tantalum occurs before tantalum reaches its melting point. Fe/Ta thin film identification techniques include scanning electron microscopy, mapping of cross-section, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction pattern. Additionally, the composition of multilayer structures is examined using EDS. In conclusion, the results of the X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the number of shots had a significant impact on the residual strain degree of the thin films that were deposited. Furthermore, structures made of FeTa and Fe2Ta were produced. Additionally, photos from scanning electron microscopy and cross-section mapping verify that the sample with five shots at an 8 cm distance from the tip anode formed a uniform Fe/Ta alloy structure. The sample with five shots at a distance of 4 cm from the tip anode formed micro-island structures, as seen by scanning electron microscopy, with decreasing distance. Furthermore, depth elemental distribution revealed that the optimal depth of penetration in a homogenous material to develop alloying is best determined by number of PF shots.

A novel nanofiltration membrane with a dual-charged layer to simultaneously remove anions and cations from acid mine drainage

A novel nanofiltration (NF) membrane with a positively and negatively dual-charged layer was finely designed in this study. The membrane was prepared by co-deposition of 4-tert-butylpyrocatechol (TBC) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) and electrostatic interaction to assemble positively and negatively charged functional layers on a substrate which is polyamide (PA)-based NF membrane. The NF membrane achieved excellent retention capacity through the combined effects of Donnan repulsion and electrostatic field trapping. The prepared membrane had a dense but thin surface layer with an average pore size of 0.84 nm, enabling an improved membrane flux of 8.66 L/(m2·h·bar) and high rejection to divalent inorganic salt ions (93.56 % Mg2+, 99.56 % SO42-). The membrane was used to treat acid mine drainage (AMD) and achieved an excellent retention capacity for ions in AMD (93.25 % Mg2+, 91.58 % Ca2+, 94.22 % Mn2+, 95.96 % SO42-), meeting industrial wastewater discharge standards. In addition, the NF membrane demonstrated good anti-fouling performance during the AMD treatment and significant potential for environmental remediation applications.