Membrane fouling and the permeability-selectivity trade-off remain central challenges in nanofiltration (NF) technology. Here, we report a one-step, aqueous-phase in situ surface modification strategy for polyamide (PA) NF membranes, in which the novel polyhydroxy zwitterionic compound 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl) (phenyl) amino] ethane-1-sulfonate (Z-PDEOA) is covalently grafted onto residual acyl chloride groups of the PA layer via esterification. Successful Z-PDEOA immobilization imparted the resulting PA-Z-PDEOA NF membrane with markedly improved surface hydrophilicity (water contact angle reduced to 6.7°) and a smoother, more homogeneous polyamide-polyester separation layer. The optimized PA-Z-PDEOA NF membrane had a water flux 3.4 times that of the original PA NF membrane. Meanwhile, the MgSO4 rejection rate increased to 97.58%, and the flux recovery rates for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and humic acid (HA) reached 99.81% and 93.25%, respectively. In the three dynamic BSA contamination tests, it was further demonstrated that the PA-Z-PDEOA NF membrane has excellent antifouling performance. These results establish Z-PDEOA grafting as an effective and scalable approach to designing high-performance antifouling NF membranes that simultaneously overcome the permeability-selectivity trade-off.
A hydrophobic/icephobic MCrAlY (M = Co, Ni) nanocomposite coating was prepared on St37 by way of electrodeposition, while CrAlY nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised through mechanical alloying. Optimal CrAlY NPs (49 nm, -25.1 mV zeta potential) were achieved with 4 wt.% ethanol for 48-h milling ball (75% cycle), yielding a composition close to 61.3Cr-37Al-1.7Y wt.%. Electrodeposited CoNi-CrAlY coatings, featuring dominant face-centered cubic (E.4 series) and hexagonal close-packed (E.6 series) structures, were characterised to enhance the surface tribology in terms of icephobicity and hydrophobicity. The E.6 series, particularly sample E.610 (10 g/l CrAlY), exhibited superior hydrophobicity, reaching a water contact angle () of approximate to 141 degrees +/- 1.4 and sliding angle () of approximate to 9.3 degrees +/- 0.5 after 30 days of ageing at room temperature, transitioning from Wenzel to Cassie-Baxter state due to nano/microscale roughness (Ra = 52.76 and 810 nm). The coating, with roughly 1 wt.% CrAlY (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), reduced ice shear stress by 83.3% compared to bare St37 steel. Durability of E.610 was also investigated and its WCAs were reported to be approximate to 133 degrees +/- 1.9 and approximate to 141 degrees +/- 1.4 after ageing in air in the time periods of 10 and 30 days, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of CoNi-CrAlY coatings for hydrophobic and anti-icing applications.
Water-repellent coatings are considered an ideal technology for protecting engineering metal materials from corrosion or damage. However, existing water-repellent coatings suffer from lower mechanical robustness and poorer chemical durability. To address the aforementioned problems, the authors proposed a slippery liquid-fused porous surface with groove structures (SLPSG) that was fabricated by laser processing, low surface energy modification, and lubricant infusion techniques. After single-factor optimization experiments, the sliding angle was about 5°. Due to the groove structure of SLPSG, it showed anisotropy, which meant the sliding velocity of the water droplet parallel to the groove direction was faster than that perpendicular to the groove direction. This SLPSG had an excellent self-cleaning performance and an anti-fouling ability. Mechanical robustness testing and chemical durability testing indicated that the SLPSG had good mechanical robustness and the ability to resist acid, alkali, and salt corrosion. In addition, the SLPSG also had the ability of the anti-freezing rain, corrosion resistance, and fog collection. This SLPSG provided a new avenue for the green and high-efficient fabrication and practical application of water-repellent surfaces.
MXene’s, a rapidly emerging class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and large surface area, making them highly attractive for wearable sensing technologies. Advances in structural design, composite engineering, and surface modification have enabled MXene-based wearable sensors with superior sensitivity, mechanical robustness, rapid response, and multifunctional sensing capabilities. Recent progress encompasses diverse device types, including strain, pressure, biochemical, and multifunctional sensors, supported by electrochemical, piezoresistive, triboelectric, and capacitive mechanisms. In addition, efforts toward biocompatible MXene hybrids, self-healing hydrogels, and multifunctional architectures are highlighted. Key challenges such as durability, recyclability, and environmental impact are critically examined. This review provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis strategies, device design, and functional enhancements, while emphasizing the future potential of MXene’s in smart textiles, bioelectronics, and human–machine interfaces. The insights presented aim to accelerate innovation and guide the development of next-generation wearable technologies based on MXene’s.
Natural oils have recently emerged as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fatliquors for improving the performance and environmental profile of leather. In this study, the surface, mechanical, and structural properties of chrome-tanned cattle leather treated with natural oils – juniper, tansy, and almond – were examined to assess their potential as eco-friendly finishing agents. The treated leathers were tested for tensile strength, elongation, flexural resistance, water absorption, water permeability, and shrinkage temperature, while structural changes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that natural oils enhanced the functional performance of leather by improving flexibility, water resistance, and structural uniformity. Almond oil gave the highest elongation and surface softness; juniper oil effectively filled interfibrillar voids and increased compactness, while tansy oil improved tensile strength and smoothness. SEM images confirmed fewer microcracks and better surface uniformity after oil treatment. FTIR spectra demonstrated the integration of oil-derived functional groups into the collagen matrix, indicating interactions responsible for hydrophobicity and stabilization. Overall, natural oil treatment produced smoother, more flexible, and thermally stable leather surfaces, demonstrating a sustainable and effective method for surface finishing and lubrication in leather processing.
To enhance the corrosion resistance of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films, this study employed a one-step electrode-position strategy to seal and hydrophobically modify the AAO pores with cerium stearate, achieving a hydrophobic composite coating. The influence of key deposition parameters on the coating's morphology, composition, and corrosion resistance was systematically examined using scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle (WCA) analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical characterization. The results confirm the formation of a dense cerium stearate coating comprising an outer Ce(CH3(CH2)(16)COO)(3) layer and an inner Ce(CH3(CH2)(16)COO)(4) layer, which completely seals the surface pores and markedly improves the substrate's corrosion resistance. Single-factor experiments identified the optimal processing conditions as: 50 V deposition voltage, 10 min deposition time, and 25 degrees C deposition temperature. The coating prepared under these conditions displays a dense micro-nano structure, outstanding hydrophobicity (WCA approximate to 145 degrees), and superior anticorrosion properties. In 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, the optimal coating exhibits a remarkably low corrosion current density of 1.95 x 10(-10) A center dot cm(-2) - two orders of magnitude lower than unsealed AAO - while its charge transfer resistance reaches 3.36 x 10(8) Omega center dot cm(-2), an enhancement of approximately three orders of magnitude. With a protection efficiency of 99.79%, the coating demonstrates exceptional corrosion protection performance.
Aluminium and its alloys have low density and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. However, aluminium is a highly reactive element, which significantly reduces its performance. Micro-arc oxidation () technology has garnered significant attention due to its unique advantages. In this study, a coating was prepared on the surface of 7050 aluminium alloy as the substrate. To further optimise the coating's performance, a CeCin-modified MAO/silane composite coating was prepared by adding cerium cinnamate (CeCin). When the CeCin addition was 1.5 g/l, the coating's corrosion resistance reached its optimal level. Using the coating with a CeCin addition of 1.5 g/l as the base sample, micro-arc oxidation-silane composite coatings (MAO-S) and micro-arc oxidation-modified silane composite coatings (MAO-MS) containing modified nano-gadolinium2O3 particles were prepared via silane treatment. The results showed that both composite coatings effectively sealed the coating, while the addition of modified nano-Gd2O3 particles significantly enhanced the cross-linking strength of the silane network. After soaking in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 40 days, the MAO-MS coating maintained its structural integrity, demonstrating its excellent long-term corrosion resistance.
Endowing silk fabrics with electrical conductivity while maintaining their inherent comfort is a critical challenge in the development of flexible wearable electronics. This study presents a novel, resource-efficient conductive finishing technique using graphene oxide (GO) in a nonaqueous decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) medium. By exploiting the extreme hydrophobicity of D5 and the hydrophilic nature of GO, a suspension-extraction system was established to facilitate the unidirectional migration of GO nanosheets onto the silk surface. The study reveals that the D5 medium significantly regulates solute distribution behavior, inducing a pronounced unidirectional migration tendency of GO within the D5-water-fibre three-phase system. This enables high adsorption capacity and conductivity under minimal water conditions. Compared to traditional water bath methods, this process reduces GO consumption by 50% (achieving the conductivity equivalent of 5.0 g/L GO in a water bath with only 2.5 g/L GO in the D5 system, lowering surface resistance to 6.61 kΩ/cm). Moreover, the treated fabric surface forms a thicker, continuous reduced GO conductive layer with fewer crystal structure defects. This methodology provides a sustainable and high-performance pathway for the functionalization of natural protein fibers in the smart textile industry.
Electroless nickel (EN) plating endows Mg alloys with integrated corrosion protection and electrical conductivity, making it highly promising for aerospace applications. Nevertheless, micro-galvanic corrosion induced by pinhole defects in EN platings severely restricts their practical deployment. Herein, five surfactants (sodium laureth sulfate [AES], sodium methyl ester sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate [SDBS]) were introduced into the EN plating bath. The plating microstructure, composition, and corrosion resistance were systematically evaluated via scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, porosity tests, electrochemical measurements, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results indicated that surfactant addition remarkably reduced plating porosity, with SDBS-modified platings achieving zero porosity in 5 wt% NaCl solution. Electrochemical tests confirmed that SDBS-based EN platings exhibited the highest charge transfer resistance (8.201 & times; 103 Omega & centerdot;cm2) and corrosion inhibition efficiency (83.3%), outperforming other surfactants. MD simulations revealed that all surfactants spontaneously adsorbed on the Ni (111) surface, while excessive adsorption strength (e.g. AES) hindered Ni2+ deposition and compromised plating quality. This work provides a facile and effective strategy to tailor EN plating performance via surfactant modification, facilitating the reliable application of Mg alloys in aerospace environments.
The electrochemical corrosion inhibition performance of Pomelo peel extract (PPE) on 304 stainless steel (304SS) in a 1 M hydrochloric acid solution at various temperatures was comprehensively evaluated, alongside its influence on the surface composition and corrosion morphology of 304SS. The results show that PPE contains 15 active ingredients, including citric acid, naringenin, and 3-hydroxyflavone. PPE demonstrates exceptional corrosion inhibition performance for 304SS, achieving a corrosion inhibition efficiency (eta) of 94.3% as determined by potentiodynamic polarization tests under optimized conditions of 1.0 g/l PPE at 298 K. The adsorption behavior of the active components on the 304SS surface conforms to the Langmuir isotherm model, with interfacial protection afforded by the formation of a monomolecular layer composed of functional groups, such as C=C, C=O, C=O+, C-N, and C-N+. The surface contact angle of 304SS increases from 73.3 degrees to 92.6 degrees, significantly enhancing its hydrophobicity. Density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to elucidate the detailed adsorption mechanism of the active compounds on the 304SS surface. This research confirms that PPE serves as an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor for stainless steel, exhibiting significant engineering value due to its highly efficient protective performance and sustainability advantages in acidic media.
Rapid degradation and susceptibility to infection significantly limit the clinical application of magnesium alloys. To address these challenges, the unique architecture, in situ grown zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods to bridge microvoids within the layered double hydroxides (LDH) matrix, was constructed on AZ31B magnesium alloy via a two-step hydrothermal method. This unique design utilizes in situ grown ZnO nanorods to effectively seal the inherent microvoids within the LDH matrix, creating a dense nanoscale barrier. Consequently, the Mg/LDH@ZnO coating exhibits superior corrosion resistance, with a significantly lower corrosion current density of 0.3 +/- 0.1 mu A & centerdot;cm(-2) and a high charge-transfer resistance of 1.5 & times; 10(7) Omega & sdot;cm(2), ensuring long-term protection (99% suppressed hydrogen evolution versus bare Mg). Furthermore, the composite coating achieves potent antibacterial efficacy with an 87.9% inhibition rate against bacteria. This functionality relies on the sustained release of zinc rather than the rapid sacrifice of the substrate, thereby maintaining structural integrity while preventing infection. This work presents a robust strategy for developing biodegradable implants with synergistic corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties.
The optical functionality and surface performance of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were insufficient for advanced flexible optoelectronics applications, which necessitate the inclusion of zinc oxide (ZnO) to modify these characteristics in PVP/ZnO nanocomposites. In this work, the nanocomposites (PVP/ZnO) consisting of PVP and ZnO were fabricated using the casting solution approach. The influence of ZnO on the structures and surface morphology of the PVP/ZnO was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray techniques. The PVP/ZnO composite was successfully produced, as shown by the X-ray diffraction methods. The optical characteristics of the PVP/ZnO were investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The band gap reduced from 4.83 eV for PVP to 2.81 eV for PVP/ZnO, and the absorption edge reduced from 4.81 to 2.76 eV. The adhesion work changed from 61.74 mJ/m2 for PVP to 104.58 mJ/m2 for the PVP/ZnO. In this work, PVP/ZnO films were fabricated to investigate the relationship between structural, surface, and optical properties to develop functional materials for optical applications. The results demonstrate that controlled microstructure and surface characteristics play a critical role in tailoring the optical performance of PVP/ZnO for applications in optoelectronics.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) chip-based biosensors have been widely used in bioanalysis due to their excellent optical transparency, biocompatibility, and ease of fabrication. However, the low surface reactivity and high non-specific adsorption of PMMA hinder efficient biomolecule immobilisation, which limits the analytical reproducibility and performance. In this study, we propose an optimised surface modification strategy to improve antibody immobilisation on PMMA substrates by systematically controlling oxygen plasma treatment and silanisation using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The surface morphology and hydrophilicity under various plasma conditions were characterised, and the effect of APTES concentration on antibody binding efficiency was quantitatively evaluated. The antibody immobilisation performance was evaluated based on the signal-to-noise ratio using a digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay device (Small Machines, Republic of Korea). Our results indicate that an APTES silanisation with 5% concentration, following 30 s oxygen plasma treatment at 50 W, yields the most functionally active surface for antibody immobilisation. This study presents a reliable surface engineering strategy for immobilising biomolecules on PMMA and provides a foundation for more reproducible and high-performance biosensor platforms.
This work focalises on the extraction of cellulosic fibres from Nerium oleander. The extracted fibres (EC) were functionalised with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and nano-zero-valent copper (nZVCu). The cellulosic substrates were analysed using scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The EC/PEI/nZVCu nanocomposite demonstrated a wide surface distribution of nZVCu. The XRD pattern of the extracted cellulose demonstrated three main peaks positioned at 15.4 degrees, 22 degrees, and 34.8 degrees which were attributed to (1 1 0), (2 0 0), and (0 4 0) lattice planes of the crystalline cellulose I. The high residual weight (46.46%) noticed for the EC/PEI/nZVCu nanocomposite approved the chemical functionalisation of the cellulosic substrate with inorganic and organic agents. The EC/PEI/nZVCu nanocomposite was applied for the catalytic reduction of methylene blue solution using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a reducing agent. The decolourisation result was affected by several experimental factors including NaBH4 concentration, initial methylene blue concentration, time, and temperature. A complete decolourisation was achieved after 8 min of reaction (pH = 6, C0 = 40 mg/L, NaBH4 = 1 M, T = 20 degrees C). The low calculated Ea value (6.2 kJ mol-1) confirmed the effectiveness of the prepared catalytic system in decolourisation. The catalytic system was non-spontaneous, endothermic, with a reduced disorder.
In this work, new composite films made of polypyrrole-graphitic carbon nitride (PPy/g-C3N4) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were prepared using the polymerization chemical method. The PET/PPy/g-C3N4 exhibit combination of mechanical and dielectric properties, making them promising materials for applied in industry devices. The X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping techniques proved that the nanocomposites were successfully fabricated. The dielectric parameters were measured by changing the PPy/g-C3N4 concentration in frequency range of 10 Hz to 6 MHz. The dielectric constant increased from 38.9 for PET to 426.4 for the composite PET/PPy/g-C3N4, and the energy density enhanced from 1.72 x 10-4 to 1.89 x 10-3 J/m3, while the relaxation time decreased from 4.2 x 10-2 to 0.34 x 10-3 s. The addition of g-C3N4 introduces nitrogen functionalities that improve dielectric polarization through interfacial interactions with PPy chains. The incorporation of g-C3N4 contributes to process the charge discharge behavior, confirming their potential for applied in flexible energy storage devices.
In this study, the poly 4-chloroaniline P(4-CAni) and the graphitic carbon nitride g-C3N4 were merged to prepare the new composite P(4-CAni)/g-C3N4 films using the oxidative chemical polymerization method. The optical and surface characteristics of P(4-CAni)/(g-C3N4) nanocomposites were investigated to explore their potential for optoelectronic applications. The X-ray diffraction confirms the effective fabrication of the composite P(4-CAni)/g-C3N4. The surface analyses confirmed the homogeneous embedding of thin g-C3N4 nanosheets within the P(4-CAni) matrix. The refractive index (no) increased from 1.13 for P(4-CAni) to 1.32 for P(4-CAni)/(g-C3N4), the dispersion energy increased from 1.17 to 1.89 eV, and the oscillation energy decreased from 4.4 to 3.59 eV. The incorporation of (g-C3N4) in the P(4-CAni) results in modifications in the optical characteristics. Because of the changes made to the structural and optical characteristics of the produced composites, the result from this study validates the usage of P(4-CAni)/(g-C3N4) in optical devices.
