Water-repellent Properties Research Articles

Control of the Wetting Ability of a Material by Local Vibration on the Interfacial Layer

The possibility of controlling the wetting ability of a material synthesized in the interfacial layer of a heterogeneous liquid/liquid system by local vibration has been shown. The influence of the nature of the organic acid, metal and solvent on the contact angle of the interfacial layer material adhering to various substrates was studied. It has been established that with local vibration, a material with a more ordered structure, with higher roughness and lower water content, and, as a consequence, with a higher contact angle, is synthesized. On the studied substrates, hydrophobic coatings with contact angles of 100–163° were obtained, which retained their water-repellent properties under atmospheric conditions for a long time.

Control of Technological Parameters of Detonation Spraying for Obtaining Coatings Based on Titanium Dioxide with Specified Wetting Properties

The study of the water-repellent properties of the surface of a metal-ceramic coating for protective purposes based on dioxide titanium is carried out. It is shown that the water-repellent properties of the coating surface can be effectively changed by varying the technological parameters of spraying. During the production of coatings, such technological parameters as the distance from the substrate to the barrel of the detonation gun and the speed of its passage are changed. A pattern is identified that connects the technological parameters of detonation coating spraying and the contact angle of wetting. It is established that the dependence of the contact angle on the spraying distance obeys a parabolic law under certain conditions. The parameters of phenomenological equation that adequately describes the observed parabolic dependence are calculated. The optimal values of the technological parameters of detonation spraying necessary to achieve maximum hydrophobicity of the produced coatings have been determined.

Underwater Vibration Sensor to Enable Automated and Contactless Voice Recognition

AbstractIndividuals suffering from voice disabilities have limited access to currently available automation technologies that operate through voice commands. To address this issue, an alternative voice recognition approach is essential without directly monitoring the audio signals generated from the vocal cord. In this work, the design of a chemically reactive and conductive sponge is reported to create an underwater vibration sensor with a fast response time and high sensitivity, through orthogonal modulation of conductivity (40–2150 kΩ), water repellence (0°–154°) and mechanical properties (0.32–2.63 MPa). This class of porous sponge sensors enables the identification of subtle water waves generated at the air–water interface and extends its utility to detecting a variety of locomotion (squatting, jumping, walking, etc.), as well as automated voice recognition using a deep learning model without direct contact with the human body. Overall, this underwater vibration sensor provides a novel basis for remote interaction with automated technologies, which finds use in medical diagnostics, human‐machine interfaces, and underwater communication systems.

Design and characterization of multicolor water-repellent coatings: Impact of alkyl chain length on surface properties

Fabrication of functional colored water-repellent surfaces is very important for many industrial applications. Here, various colorful surface coating materials having water repellent property, chemical, thermal and UV light resistance and self-cleaning property were prepared using activated halloysite nanotube loaded with dye (A-Hal/dye), different alkoxysilanes (methyltriethoxysilane (MTES), octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS)), and tetraethoxysilane and their coatings were performed on various substrates to determine the effect of alkyl chain length of alkoxysilane compound used in the coating formulation on the surface properties of colorful surfaces. Characterization studies of the synthesized surfaces or coated materials were performed using electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), SEM-mapping, FTIR, XRD, XPS and thermal gravimetic analysis techniques. Water contact angle (WCA) of glass surfaces coated with A-Hal/MB/MTES, A-Hal/MB/OTES and A-Hal/MB/HDTMS materials was found to be 148.0, 156.2 and 159.3°, respectively. The use of an alkoxysilane compound with long functional alkyl chain group in the coating formulation improved the water-repellent property of surface, while it slightly weakened the mechanical stability of the colorful surface. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating, which were applied on colorful surfaces, improved the mechanical, thermal, chemical and environmental stability of coating, but decreased the water-repellent property of coated colorful surfaces. Fabricated coating materials having different colors were successfully used to coat various substrates such as glass, filter paper, wood, and cotton fabric. The results of this study show that A-Hal/dye/HDTMS coating materials prepared here are of a great potential in the fabrication of functional surface coatings.

Synthesis of Stearyl Alcohol/Polyethylene Glycol Hybrids as Water-Repellent Finishes for Cotton/Polyester Blended Fabric

Nowadays, developing and innovation of new finishing agents that are cost effective, efficient, durable, and safe for the consumer as well as the environment are greatly required by the textile manufactures. In that concern, new stearyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (SA/PEG) hybrids were synthesized, characterized, and applied as textile finishes to impart cotton/polyester fabric with water repellency. Such hybrids were synthesized by reaction of SA with PEG of molecular weight 1000 or 4000 Da in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The optimum conditions of the synthesis reaction are: APS/PEG, 20%; PEG/SA, 15%; reaction temperature, 80 °C and reaction time, 45 min. The synthesized hybrids are self-water dispersible that form oil-in-water stable emulsions. The results indicated that treating cotton/polyester fabric with easy-care finishing formulation containing 60 g/L of dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea as a cross-linker, and 60 g/L of any of such hybrids emulsions imparts the treated fabric with water repellency, softness, and stiffness properties. Moreover, increasing the PEG molecular weight from 1000 to 4000 Da leads to a reduction in extents of softness and contact angle along with an enhancement in stiffness of treated fabric. Furthermore, the prepared hybrids emulsions-treated fabric samples are durable up to five washing cycles. The FTIR analysis confirmed the chemical structure of the synthesized SA/PEG1000 hybrid. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the particles size of SA/PEG4000 hybrid emulsion is in the range of 34–70 nm and reaches to 185 nm in case of the SA/PEG4000 hybrid emulsion. The surface of SA/PEG1000 hybrid emulsion-treated fabric was characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Effects of aluminum and barium stearates on hydrophobic material production

Despite their porous and hydrophilic structures, cement-based mortar and concrete materials are highly susceptible to water and aggressive ions, significantly reducing their lifespan. Applying hydrophobic admixtures to cement-based products can substantially enhance their water-repellent performance. This study investigated the mechanical and microstructural properties of aluminum stearate (Al St) and barium stearate (Ba St) based on their water repellency. Powder solutions of Al St and Ba St were combined with water-repellent admixtures of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste and mortars at 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 % dosages to create bulk water-repellent mortars suitable for building protection and appropriate for any construction work. The effects of the admixtures on the hydration and structure of the mortars were assessed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal gravimetry (TG-DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effectiveness of these compounds against the action of water was determined using various methods, such as mercury intrusion porosimetry, capillary water absorption tests, contact angle measurements, and water absorption tests. These admixtures form water-repellent layers within the capillary pores, which can reduce mortar permeability, particularly under nonhydrostatic conditions. Here, water capillary coefficient of Al St and Ba St 0.5 % are 0.0003 and 0.0003 respectively which is much higher that OPC. Furthermore, the resistance of the water-repellent mortars to salt crystallization was evaluated. All water-repellent admixtures provided adequate water-repellent protection, even though the water-repellent compounds and their dosages altered several physical characteristics and hydration kinetics. These materials had higher water-repellent properties but lower compressive strengths than OPC such as Al St 0.5 % result is 99.28%at 7days and on the other hand Ba St %0.5 at 3 and 56 days test results increase 109.89 % and 104.65 % respectively. Furthermore, their RCPT and contact angle were larger than those of OPC like RCPT value of Ba ST 0.5 % increased significantly 19.31 % and Al St 1 % contact angle is 108.41°. Moreover, by promoting cement hydration, Al St and Ba St may mitigate the loss of strength in concrete. Nevertheless, no research has been conducted on Al St and Ba St as hydrophobic admixtures for modifying cement mortar. This can offer insightful information about improving the mortars' natural water-repellent qualities and durability. The experiments revealed that Al St and Ba St materials are suitable for construction applications, considering their technology and characteristics.

Enhanced drag reduction of superhydrophobic coatings with femtosecond laser processing and TEOS/KH-SiO2/SA hybridization: CFD simulation and particle image velocimetry

Superhydrophobic surfaces have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in reducing frictional drag in various fluid flow systems. These surfaces mimic the lotus leaf's natural water-repellent properties, resulting in minimal contact between water droplets and the surface. The F-L@TEOS/KH-SiO2/SA coatings are developed using a combination of femtosecond laser ablation and chemical modification with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), KH550-modified SiO2 (KH-SiO2), and stearic acid (SA). The micro-nano structures formed on the surface enhanced its hydrophobicity, with a contact angle (CA) of 165.94°and sliding angle (SA) of 2.35°. The drag reduction performance is evaluated through experimental methods, including particle image velocimetry and gravity-driven motion analysis, as well as numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Results showed that the superhydrophobic surface significantly reduced drag compared to untreated aluminum, with an average drag reduction ratio of 10.4 % in experiments and a calculated reduction rate of 9.86 % in simulations. The presence of micro-nano structures promoted the formation of an air layer at the solid-liquid interface, decreasing friction and enhancing slip flow. Additionally, the biomimetic surface generated turbulence at specific distances, aiding in energy dissipation and further reducing resistance. These findings demonstrate the potential of superhydrophobic coatings for applications requiring reduced fluid resistance, such as in marine vessels, pipelines, and fluid transport systems.

Polymerizable fatty acid surfactant: Encapsulation of organic pigments for excellent colloidal stability in aqueous solution and water-repellent property

Organic pigments are indispensable in various applications due to their vibrant colors and durability, yet their low polarity often hinders their dispersion in an aqueous solution, leading to large aggregation and sedimentation. To address these limitations, dispersants and encapsulation techniques have been explored. In this study, nanoscale encapsulated pigments were synthesized using a novel polymerizable surfactant, sodium 11-methacrylamidoundecanoic acid (NaMAAUA), along with hydrophobic monomer of styrene or butyl methacrylate. NaMAAUA contains a pendant group of amphiphilic fatty acid, and acts as a dispersant and emulsifier, forming a copolymer shell around the pigments. The apolar tail in NaMAAUA provides hydrophobic interaction with pigments, and the polar carboxyl headgroup exposes in the water phase and enables the formation of strong hydrogen bonds with cellulose. Therefore, the resulting encapsulated pigment exhibits excellent dispersion stability, water-repellent property, washing fastness and UV resistance when applied to paper and cotton fabric, expanding the practical utility of organic pigments in an environmentally conscious manner. Characterization via various analytical techniques validates the efficacy of this approach, paving the way for enhanced pigment applications.

Fabrication of a water repellent comb-like WPU with excellent and sustainable anti-icing performance

Surface functional materials have aroused extensive attention due to tremendous application foreground in the anti-icing technology. However, durability and longevity are still critical problems that restrict their practical applications. In this work, a sustainable water-repellent surface was facilely constructed through comb-like WPU of crystalline octadecyl pendant groups. Because of octadecyl crystals tilting on the surface, the comb-like WPU exhibit dynamic water-repellent properties, which are mainly related to laying-down phase of crystals. Meanwhile, the surface wetting behavior is reversible switching between the sliding state and the pinning state due to phase transition, and the surface self-replenishing occurs in this process. Besides, on the basis of excellent adhesion to several substrates, these comb-like WPU make the crystallization temperature of water decreased by 9 °C approximately, and the ice adhesion strength (τice) before and after 150 abrasion cycles maintain only 3 kPa at −20 °C, exhibiting remarkable and regenerable anti-icing and deicing properties. Importantly, the transformation from laying-down phase to standing-up phase of crystals generates the successive deicing effect of interfacial slippage and micro-cracks, resulting in low τice below 20 kPa after continuous 100 icing/deicing cycles. These findings provide a facile way to design a promising surface material for enhancing endurance of anti-icing coatings.

Heat-confinement, water-resistance, and moisture-release electrospun membrane based on aerogel filler incorporation

The maintenance of a comparatively stable human body temperature through heating is essential for numerous physiological activities. However, the majority of the existing heating strategies are inefficient and wasteful in terms of energy usage, while also falling short in sufficiently protecting the human body against environmental hazards. Fabrics possessed the abilities to retain heat, repel water, and permit moisture to travel through are in high demand, which are essential for energy conservation and protective purposes. Herein, we introduce a highly efficient approach for producing electrospun membranes that exhibit excellent properties of heat confinement, water repellency, and moisture release properties, achieved by incorporating SiO2 aerogel fillers into interconnected nanofibers. As a result, the obtained aerogel filler incorporation membrane (AFIM) composed of PVDF@SiO2 exhibited a reduced thermal conductivity and reinforced moisture-release capability, leading to a 2 °C increase in temperature differential over its cotton counterpart and a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 26.83 kg•m−2day−1. This work offers insights into the advancement of the thermoregulatory textiles to conserve energy and prevent waterlogging in future challenging conditions.

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.

Mechanically durable resin-based superhydrophobic coating on Al alloy with interface optimization via implanted molecular anchoring

In this study, a mechanically durable resin-based superhydrophobic coating with excellent anti-corrosion, water-repellency, self-cleaning, and anti-reflection properties was fabricated on the Al alloy substrates. The resin-based superhydrophobic coating comprised the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and SiO2 nanoparticles on the anodized Al alloy substrates. The interface between the anodized Al alloy substrates and the superhydrophobic coating was strengthened by linking the rhodamine B (RhB) molecule in Al2O3 and PMMA. The RhB molecule was implanted in the Al2O3 by dissolving the RhB into the electrolyte for the anodization process. Moreover, the porous structure of Al2O3 was also improved significantly due to the existence of RhB. The bonding of N in RhB and Al in Al2O3 enhances the interface contacting of substrate and RhB, and the bonding of carboxyl in RhB and ester group in PMMA enhances the interface contacting of substrate and PMMA coating. As anticipated, the Al2O3-RhB/PMMA-SiO2 composite coating on Al alloy demonstrates significantly enhanced adhesive ability than that of Al alloy with Al2O3/PMMA-SiO2 coating. This interface-strengthening method provides a universal strategy to fabricate mechanically durable protective coating on metallic substrates.

Phosphatidylcholine in Intestinal Mucus Protects against Mucosal Invasion of Microbiota and Consequent Inflammation

Intestinal mucus serves as the first line barrier within the mucosa to protect against microbiota attack due to its water-repellent properties, which are the result of the high abundance of phosphatidylcholine bound to mucins. A deficiency of mucus phosphatidylcholine predisposes it to mucosal inflammation by the attack of commensal microbiota, as it is intrinsically low in ulcerative colitis. However, for precipitation of an acute inflammatory episode, mucus phosphatidylcholine has to fall below the critical level required for mucosal protection. Bacterial ectophospholipase could be a candidate for further thinning of the mucus phosphatidylcholine shield as shown, for example, with the ectophospholipase containing Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Despite supporting evidence for this mechanism in the intestine, the responsible ectophospholipase-carrying bacteria species are still to be defined. Applying phosphatidylcholine to the lumen can serve to fill up empty mucin-binding sites in ulcerative colitis as well as provide a substrate for the ectophospholipase-carrying bacteria preventing their attacks on the mucus phosphatidylcholine layer. Evidence supporting this concept comes from clinical trials in humans with ulcerative colitis as well as from colitis mouse models where phosphatidylcholine was substituted in the lumen. An alternative strategy could involve adding non-absorbable phospholipase inhibitors to the intestinal lumen, which has been shown to be effective in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis. Bacterial phospholipase should be considered a pathogenetic factor of the intestinal microbiota and therapeutic strategies should be developed to prevent their hyperactivity for clinical improvement of intestinal inflammation.

Durable microstructure-based superhydrophobic composite with photothermal performance for multifunctional application

Nowadays, multifunctional superhydrophobic coating has drawn widespread attention by virtue of its great water-repellent property, whereas the fragile mechanical and chemical durability of superhydrophobic coating greatly limits its practical application. Herein, a robust and multifunctional superhydrophobic composite coating (CFRE-SP@Fe3O4) with anti-corrosion, delay-icing and self-deicing performance is constructed via simple imprinting-demolding process on the carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin (CFRE) surface and post-deposition modification with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and epoxy resin modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The obtained CFRE-SP@Fe3O4 coating displays a superhydrophobic property with a WCA of 155° ± 1.2°. By virtue of the protection effect of the robust micro-grid structures for the inner superhydrophobic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (SP@Fe3O4), the CFRE-SP@Fe3O4 coating still maintains great superhydrophobicity after linear friction for 100 times. Additionally, compared with the carbon steel treated with CFRE, the impedance modulus at lowest frequency of CFRE-SP@Fe3O4 coating treated group further increase with a value of 107 Ω·cm2, confirming the excellent anti-corrosion performance. Owing to the air pocket captured by the micro-/nanostructure on the superhydrophobic surface, the icing time of the CFRE-SP@Fe3O4 surfaces extends from 60 s to 2130 s. Moreover, combined with the photothermal conversion performance of carbon fiber and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the ice on the CFRE and CFRE-SP@Fe3O4 coatings surfaces begin to melt 137 s, displaying the excellent self-deicing performance.

Low-density, water-repellent, and thermally insulating cellulose-mycelium foams

This work explored whether partial cellulose bioconversion with fungal mycelium can improve the properties of cellulose fibre-based materials. We demonstrate an efficient approach for producing cellulose-mycelium composites utilizing several cellulosic matrices and show that these materials can match fossil-derived polymeric foams on water contact angle, compression strength, thermal conductivity, and exhibit selective antimicrobial properties. Fossil-based polymeric foams commonly used for these applications are highly carbon positive, persist in soils and water, and are challenging to recycle. Bio-based alternatives to synthetic polymers could reduce GHG emissions, store carbon, and decrease plastic pollution. We explored several fungal species for the biofabrication of three kinds of cellulosic-mycelium composites and characterized the resulting materials for density, microstructure, compression strength, thermal conductivity, water contact angle, and antimicrobial properties. Foamed mycelium-cellulose samples had low densities (0.058 – 0.077 g/cm3), low thermal conductivity (0.03 – 0.06 W/m∙K at + 10 °C), and high water contact angle (118 – 140°). The recovery from compression of all samples was not affected by the mycelium addition and varied between 70 and 85%. In addition, an antiviral property against active MS-2 viruses was observed. These findings show that the biofabrication process using mycelium can provide water repellency and antiviral properties to cellulose foam materials while retaining their low density and good thermal insulation properties.Graphical

Electrospun Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membranes: Waterproofing and Acoustic Performance for Air and Acoustic Vents in Electronics.

Advancements in electronic devices demand materials capable of exceptional performance in various challenging environments. This study presents polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nonwoven membranes with controlled porosity, created using an air-guided electrospinning method, followed by a calendaring process. These membranes exhibit a combination of water-repellent properties and sound transmission capabilities, making them ideal candidates for use in air and acoustic vents in electronic systems. A key feature of our membrane is the three-dimensional nanostructured pores, ranging from 0.20 to 0.76 μm, with a mean pore size of 0.51 μm, achieved through the formation of randomly arranged long nanofibers. By employing both experimental and theoretical methods, we achieved impressive performance metrics: air permeability of 0.86 cm3/cm2/s, water contact angles up to 139.3°, and breakthrough pressure as low as 0.27 MPa. Our PVDF nonwoven membranes maintain an optimal balance of stiffness, density, and air permeability, leading to exceptionally low sound transmission loss values ranging between -10 and -40 dBV/Pa, all while preserving their structural integrity. These findings contribute to the development of next-generation waterproof and acoustically permeable membranes, offering enhanced performance capabilities in demanding operational scenarios. This work advances the field of nanomaterials, environmental engineering, and acoustic technologies, with the potential to influence the design of future electronic devices.

Long-term field pH manipulation influence on microbial activity, water repellency and physical properties of soil

Abstract Studies across multiple soils find increasing pH decreases water repellency. In this study, water repellency and a range of other soil physical properties of bulk soils, aggregates and intact specimens were measured on a long-term pH field experiment on a single sandy loam soil under a ley-arable crop rotation, with soil pH adjustments occurring annually by adding FeSO4 or CaCO3, to lower or raise the pH, respectively. Crop impacts were investigated by comparing 3rd year grass-white clover to spring oats, at the beginning (May) and end (September) of the growing season to allow soil structure comparisons. As in previous research, increased CO2 microbial respiration (p<0.05) was found with increasing pH along the gradient, but in this study, we found only the aggregate and soil bulk density affected by soil pH. Soil-water contact angles differed between crops (p<0.05), as well as the repellency index of soil aggregates, however, there was no soil pH effect. Overall, differences in data were found to be a result of the various crops in the rotation rather than by soil pH, indicating only minor impacts on soil physical characteristics after > 55 years of chemical additions to amend soil pH.

One-Step Spraying Strategy for Fabricating Bioinspired, Graphene-Based, and Multifunctional-Integrated Coatings on Structural Steel with Good Water Repellency, Fireproofing, Anticorrosion, and Durability.

Traditionally, many coatings were merely concentrated on settling the inherent fire protection problem of steel structures, while surface contamination and corrosion susceptibility should also be considered. Concurrently addressing these problems in fireproof efficiency and surface multifunctionality has become an issue of great significance in further expanding the application value in industrial and daily scenarios. Based on this condition, ecofriendly, graphene-based, and superhydrophobic coatings with multifunctional integration were constructed on steel via a one-step spraying method. The as-prepared coatings mainly consist of epoxy resin (EP), silicone resin (SR), a cyclodextrin-based flame retardant (MCDPM), expandable graphite (EG), and multilayered graphene (MG). The results demonstrate that the water contact angle (WCA) and water sliding angle (WSA) of as-prepared coatings can reach 156.8 ± 1.6 and 5.8 ± 0.7°, respectively, revealing good water repellency and self-cleaning properties. The coatings can also exhibit adequate adaptability for various substrates including wood, polyurethane foam, and cotton fabrics. Besides, good durability and robustness of coatings have been also verified via acid/alkali immersion, outdoor exposure, O2/plasma etching, and linear abrasion tests. Simultaneously, the coatings can exhibit excellent anticorrosion capacity for steel materials via a double barrier effect. Most importantly, the coatings have exhibited the lowest backside temperature (234.5 °C) during fire impact tests, suggesting excellent fireproof and heat insulation performance. This fact can be ascribed to the conjunct action between the physical/chemical charring process of flame retardants and the remarkable thermal stability of graphene. Consequently, this article can be expected to further promote the development and application of multifunctional-integrated coatings for steel structures in more fields.

Toward Water and Oil Repellent Coating: Synthesis of Fluorinated Methacrylate-Glycidyl Methacrylate Copolymers.

The development of durable and eco-friendly coatings with excellent adhesion and remarkable surface properties remains a critical pursuit in various industries. This study introduces an innovative methodology for the synthesis of glycidyl methacrylate-co-fluorinated methacrylate (P(GMA-co-FMA)) random copolymers with variable fluorine contents derived from GMA and FMA monomers. The copolymerization of these constituents yields coatings with enhanced durability and unique surface characteristics. Particularly, the incorporation of FMA introduces novel surface functionalities, leading to high water and oil repellent properties. The copolymer-coated surfaces exhibited impressive water contact angles ranging from 105° to 125° and decane contact angles ranging from 50° to 85°. The wettability of the P(GMA-co-FMA) coatings demonstrated a strong dependence on the fluorine content in the copolymers, with higher fluorine content resulting in superior water and oil repellency. Through a comprehensive characterization, we demonstrate the exceptional adhesion and self-cleaning capabilities of the fabricated films. Notably, the self-cleaning efficacy of P(GMA-co-FMA)-coated surfaces persists even following a prolonged duration of 6 months. Furthermore, our investigation reveals the influence of copolymer composition on surface wettability and contact angle hysteresis, providing valuable insights for tailoring coating properties. Overall, the novelty of this study lies in the synthesis of P(GMA-co-FMA) copolymer coatings with superior adhesion and self-cleaning properties. These advancements present promising applications in various fields, including electronics, textiles, and medical supplies, where such durable and functional coatings can significantly enhance product performance and longevity.

Preliminary Electrochemical Analysis of Carbon Nanoparticles from Candle Soot

Nanoparticles (NPs) generated by candle soot are of interest due to their potential applications. Because of their electronic properties, carbon-based zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, and two-dimensional nanomaterials such as graphene, fullerene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers are extensively studied (1).However, synthesis of these nanomaterials is complex and expensive. Candle soot also contains fluorescent carbon NPswhich can be used for the preparation of fluorescent makers (2). The potential applications of candle soot NPs include energy storage [e.g., can be used for supercapacitor electrode material (3)], and conversion [fuel cells (4)]. Candle soot can be an excellent source of carbon NPs. In this presentation, we cover some challenges associated with carbon NPs, such as (a) instability of NPs due to agglomeration with time and increase in temperature and (b) separation and isolation of NPs. Thus, we focus on stabilization of NPs, isolation and characterization of NPs and to study electronic, optical, and electrochemical properties to determine whether they are promising candidate in the field of energy conversion.Candle soot formation depends on various parameters like substrate material, deposition time, flame temperature, wick dimension, and flame height (5). We developed a protocol for the collection of candle soot. With this proposed protocol, the carbon NPs generated from candle soot ranges from 50 nm to larger particle size which is confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique shown in Fig. 1, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). We will include the electrochemical analysis such as investigation of oxidation/reduction processes to determine fundamental thermodynamic parameters of standard potential in organic solvents and aqueous solutions. References Jariwala, V.K. Sangwan, L.J. Lauhan, T.J. Marks, M.C. Harsam, Carbon nanomaterials for electronics, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and sensing, Chem. Soc. Rev., 43 (2013), 2824-28.J. Campbell, M.J. Andrews, K.J. Stevenson, New nanotech from an ancient material: Chemistry demonstrations involving carbon-based soot, J. Chem. Educ., 89 (2012) 1280-1287.Zhang, D. Wang, B. Yu, F. Zhou, W. Liu, Candle soot as a supercapacitor electrode material, RSC. Adv., 4 (2014), 2586-2589.Khalakhan, R. Fiala, J. Laukova, P. Kus, A. Ostroverkh, M. Vaclavu, M. Vorokhta, I. Matolinova, V. Matolin., Candle Soot as an efficient support for proton exchange membrane fuel cell catalyst, Fuel Cell., 16 (2016) 652-655.N. Sahoo, B. kandasubramanian. An experimental design for the investigation of water repellent property of candle soot particles, Mater. Chem. Phys.,148 (2014), 134-142. Figure 1