To enhance the mechanical performance and surface hydrophobicity of flat thin-sheet materials, we have developed a facile, environmentally benign, and low-cost synthesis strategy for fabricating a robust waterborne superhydrophobic coating with excellent mechanical reinforcement, via simple spray coating using a non-fluorinated material system (waterborne silicone–acrylic copolymer and silica sol). The functional coating exhibited excellent hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 150°) regardless of the compound of the substrates, which is primarily ascribed to the presence of abundant low-surface-energy methyl groups on the coating’s surface, along with the three-dimensional hierarchical network structure formed via the cross-linked silica network. Owing to the stable cross-linked structure and strong interfacial bonding between the acrylic polymer and silica network, the composite coating exhibited exceptional mechanical reinforcement, coupled with ultrahigh mechanical and chemical stability. Specifically, the maximum flexural fracture load of the modified materials increased from 119 N to 192 N, representing a 62.7% enhancement; similarly, the moisture-induced deflection of the samples had a significant increase from −14.5 mm to −3.01 mm, which confirmed that the mechanical properties of the modified sample and its deformation resistance under high humidity conditions have been significantly enhanced. Notably, the coating retained superior hydrophobicity and mechanical performance even after 50 abrasion cycles, as well as exposure to high-intensity UV radiation and corrosive acidic/alkaline environments. Furthermore, the composite functional coating demonstrated excellent self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties. This functional composite coating offers significant potential for large-scale industrial application.
{"title":"Simple Spray Preparation of Multifunctional Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Coatings for Surface Strengthening of Flat Thin-Sheet Materials","authors":"Xianbo Yu, Huaxin Li, Hu Chen, Shuao Xie, Wei Han, Xiaoxue Xi, Zhongbo Hu, Xian Yue, Junhui Xiang","doi":"10.3390/coatings15111267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15111267","url":null,"abstract":"To enhance the mechanical performance and surface hydrophobicity of flat thin-sheet materials, we have developed a facile, environmentally benign, and low-cost synthesis strategy for fabricating a robust waterborne superhydrophobic coating with excellent mechanical reinforcement, via simple spray coating using a non-fluorinated material system (waterborne silicone–acrylic copolymer and silica sol). The functional coating exhibited excellent hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 150°) regardless of the compound of the substrates, which is primarily ascribed to the presence of abundant low-surface-energy methyl groups on the coating’s surface, along with the three-dimensional hierarchical network structure formed via the cross-linked silica network. Owing to the stable cross-linked structure and strong interfacial bonding between the acrylic polymer and silica network, the composite coating exhibited exceptional mechanical reinforcement, coupled with ultrahigh mechanical and chemical stability. Specifically, the maximum flexural fracture load of the modified materials increased from 119 N to 192 N, representing a 62.7% enhancement; similarly, the moisture-induced deflection of the samples had a significant increase from −14.5 mm to −3.01 mm, which confirmed that the mechanical properties of the modified sample and its deformation resistance under high humidity conditions have been significantly enhanced. Notably, the coating retained superior hydrophobicity and mechanical performance even after 50 abrasion cycles, as well as exposure to high-intensity UV radiation and corrosive acidic/alkaline environments. Furthermore, the composite functional coating demonstrated excellent self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties. This functional composite coating offers significant potential for large-scale industrial application.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 11","pages":"1267-1267"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147333941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
To address the issue in the pure oxide molten salt system Na2WO4-WO3, where the relatively high melting temperature often causes thermal corrosion of the base material and reduces electrodeposition efficiency. A new molten salt system for electrodeposition tungsten coatings on CuCrZr substrates at relatively low temperatures was investigated. The crystal structure and microstructure of the tungsten coatings were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicate that the power supply mode, current density, and duty cycle significantly affect the microstructure, crystalline characteristics, and overall performance of the tungsten coating. Pure tungsten coatings were successfully fabricated on CuCrZr substrates at 943 K. The best electrodeposition parameters were determined to be a current density of 40 mA/cm2 and a duty cycle of 40%. Moreover, after prolonged electrodeposition (60 h), the tungsten coatings retained fine grains, with sizes ranging from 2 μm to 6 μm.
{"title":"Electrodeposition of Fine-Grained Tungsten Coatings on CuCrZr Alloy Substrates from Relatively Low Temperature KF-KCl-WO3 Molten Salt System","authors":"Xiaoxu Dong, Wenqi Liu, Yusha Li, Zeyu Gao, Yingchun Zhang","doi":"10.3390/coatings15101219","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101219","url":null,"abstract":"To address the issue in the pure oxide molten salt system Na2WO4-WO3, where the relatively high melting temperature often causes thermal corrosion of the base material and reduces electrodeposition efficiency. A new molten salt system for electrodeposition tungsten coatings on CuCrZr substrates at relatively low temperatures was investigated. The crystal structure and microstructure of the tungsten coatings were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicate that the power supply mode, current density, and duty cycle significantly affect the microstructure, crystalline characteristics, and overall performance of the tungsten coating. Pure tungsten coatings were successfully fabricated on CuCrZr substrates at 943 K. The best electrodeposition parameters were determined to be a current density of 40 mA/cm2 and a duty cycle of 40%. Moreover, after prolonged electrodeposition (60 h), the tungsten coatings retained fine grains, with sizes ranging from 2 μm to 6 μm.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 10","pages":"1219-1219"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/10/1219/pdf?version=1760686286","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147333867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-13DOI: 10.3390/coatings15101204
Bingyan Wu, Luyang Zhang, Lin Chen, Jiankun Wang, Z. Gao, Jing Feng
Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are extensively utilized in aero engines due to their high-temperature stability; however, they are prone to environmental corrosion at high temperatures, and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are necessary to resist oxidation and corrosion. Among various EBC materials, AlTaO4 offers high cost-effectiveness and low thermal expansion coefficients (TECs), but its resistance to SiO2 erosion and high-temperature stability remain unclear. We investigated the influences of SiO2 additions on the structures and thermal properties of AlTaO4; and AlTaO4 mixtures containing 10 wt.% SiO2 were kept at 1400 °C for 30–120 h. AlTaO4 exhibited excellent high-temperature phase stability, and SiO2 dissolved into AlTaO4 to generate a solid solution. XRD Rietveld refinement was employed to confirm the position of Si in the lattices, while SEM and EDS characterizations demonstrated the homogeneous distribution of Si, Al, and Ta elements. At 1200 °C, the TECs of SiO2-AlTaO4 (4.65 × 10−6 K−1) were close to those of SiC (4.5–5.5 × 10−6 K−1). Additionally, the addition of SiO2 could reduce TECs of AlTaO4, a feature that helped alleviate the interface thermal stress between AlTaO4 and the Si bond coat in the EBC systems. At 900 °C, the thermal conductivity was reduced by 26.9% compared to that of AlTaO4, and the lowest value was 1.65 W·m−1·K−1. Accordingly, SiO2 will enter the lattices of AlTaO4 after heat treatments at 1400 °C, and SiO2 additions will reduce the thermal conductivity and TECs of AlTaO4, which is beneficial for its EBC applications.
{"title":"Influences of SiO2 Additions on the Structures and Thermal Properties of AlTaO4 Ceramics as EBC Materials","authors":"Bingyan Wu, Luyang Zhang, Lin Chen, Jiankun Wang, Z. Gao, Jing Feng","doi":"10.3390/coatings15101204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101204","url":null,"abstract":"Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are extensively utilized in aero engines due to their high-temperature stability; however, they are prone to environmental corrosion at high temperatures, and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are necessary to resist oxidation and corrosion. Among various EBC materials, AlTaO4 offers high cost-effectiveness and low thermal expansion coefficients (TECs), but its resistance to SiO2 erosion and high-temperature stability remain unclear. We investigated the influences of SiO2 additions on the structures and thermal properties of AlTaO4; and AlTaO4 mixtures containing 10 wt.% SiO2 were kept at 1400 °C for 30–120 h. AlTaO4 exhibited excellent high-temperature phase stability, and SiO2 dissolved into AlTaO4 to generate a solid solution. XRD Rietveld refinement was employed to confirm the position of Si in the lattices, while SEM and EDS characterizations demonstrated the homogeneous distribution of Si, Al, and Ta elements. At 1200 °C, the TECs of SiO2-AlTaO4 (4.65 × 10−6 K−1) were close to those of SiC (4.5–5.5 × 10−6 K−1). Additionally, the addition of SiO2 could reduce TECs of AlTaO4, a feature that helped alleviate the interface thermal stress between AlTaO4 and the Si bond coat in the EBC systems. At 900 °C, the thermal conductivity was reduced by 26.9% compared to that of AlTaO4, and the lowest value was 1.65 W·m−1·K−1. Accordingly, SiO2 will enter the lattices of AlTaO4 after heat treatments at 1400 °C, and SiO2 additions will reduce the thermal conductivity and TECs of AlTaO4, which is beneficial for its EBC applications.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 10","pages":"1204-1204"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/10/1204/pdf?version=1760354181","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147334049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-11DOI: 10.3390/coatings15101194
Meng Wang, Jixian Li, Lu Chen, Changyun Shi, Jinguo Ge
Polyurethane (PU), owing to its superior physicochemical properties, is considered an ideal modifier for asphalt. To improve the mechanical performance and service durability of asphalt pavements, PU-modified asphalts with varying dosages were prepared and evaluated through laboratory experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. Rheological, thermodynamic, and mechanical tests, as well as asphalt–aggregate adhesion energy calculations, were conducted to elucidate the modification mechanism, aging resistance, and interfacial behavior. The results showed that PU incorporation significantly enhanced rutting resistance at high temperatures, flexibility at low temperatures, and overall load-bearing capacity. Under ultraviolet and long-term aging, PU-modified asphalts exhibited notably lower performance degradation than base asphalt. At the molecular level, PU absorbed light fractions and formed a cross-linked network, reducing the free volume fraction and strengthening resistance to deformation. Moreover, PU substantially improved asphalt–aggregate adhesion energy, thereby reinforcing interfacial bonding. These findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for the optimal design and engineering application of PU-modified asphalt.
{"title":"Research on Aging Characteristics and Interfacial Adhesion Performance of Polyurethane-Modified Asphalt","authors":"Meng Wang, Jixian Li, Lu Chen, Changyun Shi, Jinguo Ge","doi":"10.3390/coatings15101194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101194","url":null,"abstract":"Polyurethane (PU), owing to its superior physicochemical properties, is considered an ideal modifier for asphalt. To improve the mechanical performance and service durability of asphalt pavements, PU-modified asphalts with varying dosages were prepared and evaluated through laboratory experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. Rheological, thermodynamic, and mechanical tests, as well as asphalt–aggregate adhesion energy calculations, were conducted to elucidate the modification mechanism, aging resistance, and interfacial behavior. The results showed that PU incorporation significantly enhanced rutting resistance at high temperatures, flexibility at low temperatures, and overall load-bearing capacity. Under ultraviolet and long-term aging, PU-modified asphalts exhibited notably lower performance degradation than base asphalt. At the molecular level, PU absorbed light fractions and formed a cross-linked network, reducing the free volume fraction and strengthening resistance to deformation. Moreover, PU substantially improved asphalt–aggregate adhesion energy, thereby reinforcing interfacial bonding. These findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for the optimal design and engineering application of PU-modified asphalt.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 10","pages":"1194-1194"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/10/1194/pdf?version=1760164138","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147334015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.3390/coatings15101178
Sen Wu, Li Yan, Jingyu Zhang, Haohai Yu, Rui Lin, Hui Yu, Peng Liu, Yanyan Huang
Palm-leaf manuscripts (PLMs) represent a significant component of cultural heritage as a medium for information recording. However, the inherent fragility of these organic materials presents a major challenge for their long-term preservation. Therefore, enhancing the durability of PLMs to ensure longevity has become a critical issue in conservation research. This study includes an examination of the potential of two polymers, cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (CQAS), for PLM encapsulation. The encapsulation effects of these materials were assessed through artificial moist heat-accelerated aging tests, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of structural and mechanical properties at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. The results indicated that CPAM provided superior performance in terms of gloss, color stability, hydrophobicity, pH value, and tensile properties, whereas CQAS demonstrated notable antifungal efficacy. Both CPAM and CQAS possess distinct advantages and can significantly contribute to the preservation of PLMs. This work offers valuable insights for developing effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the potential of CPAM and CQAS as viable encapsulation materials in the face of conservation requirements.
{"title":"Enhancing the Durability of Palm-Leaf Manuscripts: A Comparative Study of CPAM and CQAS Encapsulation Materials","authors":"Sen Wu, Li Yan, Jingyu Zhang, Haohai Yu, Rui Lin, Hui Yu, Peng Liu, Yanyan Huang","doi":"10.3390/coatings15101178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101178","url":null,"abstract":"Palm-leaf manuscripts (PLMs) represent a significant component of cultural heritage as a medium for information recording. However, the inherent fragility of these organic materials presents a major challenge for their long-term preservation. Therefore, enhancing the durability of PLMs to ensure longevity has become a critical issue in conservation research. This study includes an examination of the potential of two polymers, cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (CQAS), for PLM encapsulation. The encapsulation effects of these materials were assessed through artificial moist heat-accelerated aging tests, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of structural and mechanical properties at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. The results indicated that CPAM provided superior performance in terms of gloss, color stability, hydrophobicity, pH value, and tensile properties, whereas CQAS demonstrated notable antifungal efficacy. Both CPAM and CQAS possess distinct advantages and can significantly contribute to the preservation of PLMs. This work offers valuable insights for developing effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the potential of CPAM and CQAS as viable encapsulation materials in the face of conservation requirements.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 10","pages":"1178-1178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/10/1178/pdf?version=1759916863","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147331470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-21DOI: 10.3390/coatings15080979
Zaixiang Zheng, Shutong Wu, Jiawei Luo, Shengnan Yang, Junnan Cui, Zhimin Cao, Pan Cao
Ice accretion on critical transportation infrastructure presents serious operational risks and economic challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable anti-icing solutions. This study develops a strong PDMS-based composite coating on aluminum by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon powder, effectively merging passive superhydrophobicity with photothermal capabilities. We systematically assess how different ratios of CNTs to carbon powder (3:1, 1:1, 1:3) influence surface morphology, wettability, anti-icing performance, mechanical durability, and corrosion resistance. The morphological analysis shows the formation of hierarchical micro/nano-structures, with the optimal 1:3 ratio (designated as P13) resulting in dense, porous agglomerates of intertwined CNTs and carbon powder. P13 demonstrates high-performing superhydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 139.7° and a sliding angle of 9.4°, alongside a significantly extended freezing delay of 180 s at −20 °C. This performance is attributed to reduced water–surface interaction and inhibited ice nucleation. Mechanical abrasion tests indicate remarkable durability, as P13 retains a contact angle of 132.5° and consistent anti-icing properties after enduring 100 abrasion cycles. Electrochemical analysis reveals exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly for P13, which achieves a notable 99.66% corrosion inhibition efficiency by creating a highly tortuous diffusion barrier that protects against corrosive agents. This multifunctional coating effectively utilizes the photothermal properties of CNTs, the affordability of carbon powder, the low surface energy of PDMS, and the thermal conductivity of aluminum, presenting a robust and high-performance solution for anti-icing applications in challenging environments.
{"title":"Multifunctional PDMS Composite Coating for Advanced Anti-Icing with Concurrent Mechanical Durability and Corrosion Protection","authors":"Zaixiang Zheng, Shutong Wu, Jiawei Luo, Shengnan Yang, Junnan Cui, Zhimin Cao, Pan Cao","doi":"10.3390/coatings15080979","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080979","url":null,"abstract":"Ice accretion on critical transportation infrastructure presents serious operational risks and economic challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable anti-icing solutions. This study develops a strong PDMS-based composite coating on aluminum by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon powder, effectively merging passive superhydrophobicity with photothermal capabilities. We systematically assess how different ratios of CNTs to carbon powder (3:1, 1:1, 1:3) influence surface morphology, wettability, anti-icing performance, mechanical durability, and corrosion resistance. The morphological analysis shows the formation of hierarchical micro/nano-structures, with the optimal 1:3 ratio (designated as P13) resulting in dense, porous agglomerates of intertwined CNTs and carbon powder. P13 demonstrates high-performing superhydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 139.7° and a sliding angle of 9.4°, alongside a significantly extended freezing delay of 180 s at −20 °C. This performance is attributed to reduced water–surface interaction and inhibited ice nucleation. Mechanical abrasion tests indicate remarkable durability, as P13 retains a contact angle of 132.5° and consistent anti-icing properties after enduring 100 abrasion cycles. Electrochemical analysis reveals exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly for P13, which achieves a notable 99.66% corrosion inhibition efficiency by creating a highly tortuous diffusion barrier that protects against corrosive agents. This multifunctional coating effectively utilizes the photothermal properties of CNTs, the affordability of carbon powder, the low surface energy of PDMS, and the thermal conductivity of aluminum, presenting a robust and high-performance solution for anti-icing applications in challenging environments.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 8","pages":"979-979"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/8/979/pdf?version=1755832681","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147331469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Commercial hydrophobic membranes encounter severe problems such as membrane wetting and membrane fouling under extreme conditions, which affect membrane separation performance. To enhance the anti-fouling abilities of hydrophobic membranes, a composite membrane with omniphobic characteristics was fabricated successfully in this paper. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were in-situ grown via the hydrothermal synthesis method, and then fluorosilane with low surface energy was grafted on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. Subsequently, the morphologies, chemical compositions, wetting properties and structural parameters of composite membranes were characterized systematically. Various contaminants were added to the feed to investigate the anti-fouling and anti-wetting performances of the composite membrane in membrane distillation tests. The results showed that butyl titanate was first hydrolyzed to form titanium hydroxide (Ti(OH)4) and then it was dehydrated to form TiO2 in the hydrothermal environment. TiO2 crystals continued to grow and formed rough morphology with micro-nano synergistic distribution, which is similar to a “sunflower” disk composed of cubic clusters and nanopillars. Meanwhile, fluorosilane successfully was grafted onto TiO2. The contact angles of deionized water, 0.4 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and 0.2% v/v mineral oil emulsion on the composite membrane surface were 167.3°, 162.0° and 158.5°, respectively, endowing the composite membrane with excellent omniphobic features. In direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) tests, the composite membrane exhibited a relatively stable membrane permeate flux, and the salt rejection rate almost reached 100%. The mixture, consisting of inorganic salts, organic substances, surfactants and oil emulsions, was used as feed. In contrast, the commercial PVDF membrane flux decreased drastically and even dropped to 0 due to the membrane fouling and wetting. As for the pristine PVDF membrane, the membrane surface was covered with pollutants and membrane pores were blocked. Therefore, it was proved that the omniphobic composite membrane possesses outstanding anti-fouling and anti-wetting performance.
{"title":"Fabrication of Biomimetical TiO2@PVDF Composite Membrane with Omniphobicity via In-Situ Growth and Its Anti-Fouling Performance","authors":"Wei Zhang, Xuran Zhu, Baoan Li, Boyang Hu, Leyu Shen, Yuebo Meng, Haifeng Gao","doi":"10.3390/coatings15080965","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080965","url":null,"abstract":"Commercial hydrophobic membranes encounter severe problems such as membrane wetting and membrane fouling under extreme conditions, which affect membrane separation performance. To enhance the anti-fouling abilities of hydrophobic membranes, a composite membrane with omniphobic characteristics was fabricated successfully in this paper. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were in-situ grown via the hydrothermal synthesis method, and then fluorosilane with low surface energy was grafted on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. Subsequently, the morphologies, chemical compositions, wetting properties and structural parameters of composite membranes were characterized systematically. Various contaminants were added to the feed to investigate the anti-fouling and anti-wetting performances of the composite membrane in membrane distillation tests. The results showed that butyl titanate was first hydrolyzed to form titanium hydroxide (Ti(OH)4) and then it was dehydrated to form TiO2 in the hydrothermal environment. TiO2 crystals continued to grow and formed rough morphology with micro-nano synergistic distribution, which is similar to a “sunflower” disk composed of cubic clusters and nanopillars. Meanwhile, fluorosilane successfully was grafted onto TiO2. The contact angles of deionized water, 0.4 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and 0.2% v/v mineral oil emulsion on the composite membrane surface were 167.3°, 162.0° and 158.5°, respectively, endowing the composite membrane with excellent omniphobic features. In direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) tests, the composite membrane exhibited a relatively stable membrane permeate flux, and the salt rejection rate almost reached 100%. The mixture, consisting of inorganic salts, organic substances, surfactants and oil emulsions, was used as feed. In contrast, the commercial PVDF membrane flux decreased drastically and even dropped to 0 due to the membrane fouling and wetting. As for the pristine PVDF membrane, the membrane surface was covered with pollutants and membrane pores were blocked. Therefore, it was proved that the omniphobic composite membrane possesses outstanding anti-fouling and anti-wetting performance.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 8","pages":"965-965"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/8/965/pdf?version=1755610600","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147333542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-14DOI: 10.3390/coatings15080953
Xi Chen, Chenxi Zhang, Qi Chen, Xiao Chen, Ningning Li
To overcome poor catalyst recovery and inefficient mass transfer in photocatalytic water treatment, this study presents novel Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) photocatalytic reactors (PCRs) fabricated via Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. Five TiO2-loaded reactors (Fischer-Radin-Dunn (FRD), Neovius (N), Diamond (D), I-graph Wrapped Package (IWP), Gyroid (G)) with hierarchical porosity were designed. Using methylene blue (MB) as the target pollutant, the photocatalytic degradation performance of TPMS-PCRs is evaluated and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) hydrodynamic simulations are conducted to analyze their flow characteristics under both horizontal and rotational flow fields. The catalytic efficiency of TPMS reactors is influenced not only by pore characteristics, specific surface area, and inter-pore connectivity, but also by the flow velocities on both the reactor surface and within its internal channels. The FRD-type TPMS-PCR loaded with 2.5 wt% TiO2 exhibited optimal photocatalytic performance, achieving 95.36% degradation efficiency under rotational flow within 2.5 h, compared to 88.2% under horizontal flow. Remarkably, after five degradation cycles, its efficiency further improved to 96.7%, demonstrating its excellent stability. The rotational flow field enhanced the average flow velocity by approximately sixfold compared to horizontal flow, with the D-type reactor reaching a maximum surface velocity of 5.3 × 10−2 m/s.
{"title":"Photocatalytic Performance of 3D-Printed Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Photocatalytic Reactors","authors":"Xi Chen, Chenxi Zhang, Qi Chen, Xiao Chen, Ningning Li","doi":"10.3390/coatings15080953","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080953","url":null,"abstract":"To overcome poor catalyst recovery and inefficient mass transfer in photocatalytic water treatment, this study presents novel Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) photocatalytic reactors (PCRs) fabricated via Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. Five TiO2-loaded reactors (Fischer-Radin-Dunn (FRD), Neovius (N), Diamond (D), I-graph Wrapped Package (IWP), Gyroid (G)) with hierarchical porosity were designed. Using methylene blue (MB) as the target pollutant, the photocatalytic degradation performance of TPMS-PCRs is evaluated and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) hydrodynamic simulations are conducted to analyze their flow characteristics under both horizontal and rotational flow fields. The catalytic efficiency of TPMS reactors is influenced not only by pore characteristics, specific surface area, and inter-pore connectivity, but also by the flow velocities on both the reactor surface and within its internal channels. The FRD-type TPMS-PCR loaded with 2.5 wt% TiO2 exhibited optimal photocatalytic performance, achieving 95.36% degradation efficiency under rotational flow within 2.5 h, compared to 88.2% under horizontal flow. Remarkably, after five degradation cycles, its efficiency further improved to 96.7%, demonstrating its excellent stability. The rotational flow field enhanced the average flow velocity by approximately sixfold compared to horizontal flow, with the D-type reactor reaching a maximum surface velocity of 5.3 × 10−2 m/s.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 8","pages":"953-953"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/8/953/pdf?version=1755218884","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147332587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.3390/coatings15080894
Soyeon Kim, Changchun Liu, Jing Huang, Xiang Feng, Hong Tu Sun, Xiaoli Zhan, M. K. Shi, H.L. Bai, Guping Tang
A modular strategy for the molecular design of silicone-based antifoaming agents was developed by precisely controlling the architecture of poly (methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS). Sixteen PMHS variants were synthesized by systematically varying the siloxane chain length (L1–L4), backbone composition (D3T1 vs. D30T1), and terminal group chemistry (H- vs. M-type). These structural modifications resulted in a broad range of Si-H functionalities, which were quantitatively analyzed and correlated with defoaming performance. The PMHS matrices were integrated with high-viscosity PDMS, a nonionic surfactant, and covalently grafted fumed silica—which was chemically matched to each PMHS backbone—to construct formulation-specific defoaming systems with enhanced interfacial compatibility and colloidal stability. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization via FT-IR, 1H NMR, GPC, TGA, and surface tension analysis revealed a nonmonotonic relationship between Si-H content and defoaming efficiency. Formulations containing 0.1–0.3 wt% Si-H achieved peak performance, with suppression efficiencies up to 96.6% and surface tensions as low as 18.9 mN/m. Deviations from this optimal range impaired performance due to interfacial over-reactivity or reduced mobility. Furthermore, thermal stability and molecular weight distribution were found to be governed by repeat unit architecture and terminal group selection. Compared with conventional EO/PO-modified commercial defoamers, the PMHS-based systems exhibited markedly improved suppression durability and formulation stability in high-viscosity environments. These results establish a predictive structure–property framework for tailoring antifoaming agents and highlight PMHS-based formulations as advanced foam suppressors with improved functionality. This study provides actionable design criteria for high-performance silicone materials with strong potential for application in thermally and mechanically demanding environments such as coating, bioprocessing, and polymer manufacturing.
{"title":"Optimized Si-H Content and Multivariate Engineering of PMHS Antifoamers for Superior Foam Suppression in High-Viscosity Systems","authors":"Soyeon Kim, Changchun Liu, Jing Huang, Xiang Feng, Hong Tu Sun, Xiaoli Zhan, M. K. Shi, H.L. Bai, Guping Tang","doi":"10.3390/coatings15080894","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080894","url":null,"abstract":"A modular strategy for the molecular design of silicone-based antifoaming agents was developed by precisely controlling the architecture of poly (methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS). Sixteen PMHS variants were synthesized by systematically varying the siloxane chain length (L1–L4), backbone composition (D3T1 vs. D30T1), and terminal group chemistry (H- vs. M-type). These structural modifications resulted in a broad range of Si-H functionalities, which were quantitatively analyzed and correlated with defoaming performance. The PMHS matrices were integrated with high-viscosity PDMS, a nonionic surfactant, and covalently grafted fumed silica—which was chemically matched to each PMHS backbone—to construct formulation-specific defoaming systems with enhanced interfacial compatibility and colloidal stability. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization via FT-IR, 1H NMR, GPC, TGA, and surface tension analysis revealed a nonmonotonic relationship between Si-H content and defoaming efficiency. Formulations containing 0.1–0.3 wt% Si-H achieved peak performance, with suppression efficiencies up to 96.6% and surface tensions as low as 18.9 mN/m. Deviations from this optimal range impaired performance due to interfacial over-reactivity or reduced mobility. Furthermore, thermal stability and molecular weight distribution were found to be governed by repeat unit architecture and terminal group selection. Compared with conventional EO/PO-modified commercial defoamers, the PMHS-based systems exhibited markedly improved suppression durability and formulation stability in high-viscosity environments. These results establish a predictive structure–property framework for tailoring antifoaming agents and highlight PMHS-based formulations as advanced foam suppressors with improved functionality. This study provides actionable design criteria for high-performance silicone materials with strong potential for application in thermally and mechanically demanding environments such as coating, bioprocessing, and polymer manufacturing.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 8","pages":"894-894"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/8/894/pdf?version=1754027175","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147331468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-14DOI: 10.3390/coatings15070819
Haijun Bu, Jianrui Zha
The restoration of gold leaf on sandstone sculptures requires structural stability, aesthetic considerations, and compliance with the principles of cultural heritage preservation. A primary issue is achieving visual and material compatibility between newly restored and original areas. Based on the “Diagnosis–Analysis–Selection–Restoration” methodology, the research team developed a targeted restoration approach for gilded stone sculptures, using the Shakyamuni sculpture at Erfo Temple in Chongqing as a case study. Assessment of the current situation revealed that over 70% of the sculpture’s surface exhibited gold leaf delamination. The composition and structure of the gold-sizing lacquer, lacquer plaster filler, ground layers, and pigments were investigated using SEM-EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and THM-Py-GC/MS techniques. The results confirmed that the sculpture featured a typical multilayer gilding structure with clear evidence of historical restorations. Considering both material performance and interfacial compatibility, an NHL2/SiO2/SF016 composite emulsion and traditional lacquer plaster were selected as the optimal materials for reattachment and infill, respectively. A scientific restoration protocol was developed, encompassing gentle cleaning, targeted reattachment and reinforcement, and region-specific repair methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the influence of temperature and humidity on the curing behavior of lacquer layers. Additionally, a non-invasive gold leaf color-matching technique was developed by controlling the surface roughness of the gold-sizing lacquer, effectively avoiding the damage caused by traditional color-matching methods.
{"title":"A Methodology for Lacquer Gilding Restoration of Sandstone Sculptures: A Multidisciplinary Approach Combining Material Characterization and Environmental Adaptation","authors":"Haijun Bu, Jianrui Zha","doi":"10.3390/coatings15070819","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15070819","url":null,"abstract":"The restoration of gold leaf on sandstone sculptures requires structural stability, aesthetic considerations, and compliance with the principles of cultural heritage preservation. A primary issue is achieving visual and material compatibility between newly restored and original areas. Based on the “Diagnosis–Analysis–Selection–Restoration” methodology, the research team developed a targeted restoration approach for gilded stone sculptures, using the Shakyamuni sculpture at Erfo Temple in Chongqing as a case study. Assessment of the current situation revealed that over 70% of the sculpture’s surface exhibited gold leaf delamination. The composition and structure of the gold-sizing lacquer, lacquer plaster filler, ground layers, and pigments were investigated using SEM-EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and THM-Py-GC/MS techniques. The results confirmed that the sculpture featured a typical multilayer gilding structure with clear evidence of historical restorations. Considering both material performance and interfacial compatibility, an NHL2/SiO2/SF016 composite emulsion and traditional lacquer plaster were selected as the optimal materials for reattachment and infill, respectively. A scientific restoration protocol was developed, encompassing gentle cleaning, targeted reattachment and reinforcement, and region-specific repair methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the influence of temperature and humidity on the curing behavior of lacquer layers. Additionally, a non-invasive gold leaf color-matching technique was developed by controlling the surface roughness of the gold-sizing lacquer, effectively avoiding the damage caused by traditional color-matching methods.","PeriodicalId":10520,"journal":{"name":"Coatings","volume":"15 7","pages":"819-819"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/15/7/819/pdf?version=1752492875","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147333086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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