Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108561
Pei-yu Lyu , Xin-peng Di , Quan Zhou , Xu Qin , Lin Gong , Zhi-qiu Ye , Qin Chen , Wen-qing Xu , Xiang-yu Li , Li-mei Yang , Zi-ang Zhang , Ge-bo Pan
Flexible capacitive tactile sensors, due to the lack of exploration of the inherent synergies between mechanical deformation and electrical response, are powerless to accelerate the pace in the intelligent robotics and wearable electronics areas. Herein, an innovative grid-array electrode-dielectric synergistic strategy with the intersecting microcavity network dynamically modulates both permittivity and contact area under pressure is proposed. Benefiting from the grid design, the sensor exhibits a 319 % improvement in sensitivity metrics, demonstrating sub-millisecond dynamic response. In addition, it can withstand over 10,000 cycles and detect forces as low as 1 g. Most importantly, by establishing the framework for precisely controlling the cooperative deformation of the dielectric layer through the geometric configuration of the microcavity, a new paradigm for the design of highly sensitive tactile sensors is provided, which promotes the advancement of electronic skin and human-machine interfaces towards bionic perception.
{"title":"A patterned microcavity network strategy for synergistic electrode-dielectric enhancement in flexible tactile sensors","authors":"Pei-yu Lyu , Xin-peng Di , Quan Zhou , Xu Qin , Lin Gong , Zhi-qiu Ye , Qin Chen , Wen-qing Xu , Xiang-yu Li , Li-mei Yang , Zi-ang Zhang , Ge-bo Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexible capacitive tactile sensors, due to the lack of exploration of the inherent synergies between mechanical deformation and electrical response, are powerless to accelerate the pace in the intelligent robotics and wearable electronics areas. Herein, an innovative grid-array electrode-dielectric synergistic strategy with the intersecting microcavity network dynamically modulates both permittivity and contact area under pressure is proposed. Benefiting from the grid design, the sensor exhibits a 319 % improvement in sensitivity metrics, demonstrating sub-millisecond dynamic response. In addition, it can withstand over 10,000 cycles and detect forces as low as 1 g. Most importantly, by establishing the framework for precisely controlling the cooperative deformation of the dielectric layer through the geometric configuration of the microcavity, a new paradigm for the design of highly sensitive tactile sensors is provided, which promotes the advancement of electronic skin and human-machine interfaces towards bionic perception.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108561"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108556
Guojun Jiang , Wenxue Wang , Jiaqi Zheng , Jingwen Xu , Hanyuan Zhuang , Qianjin Hu , Yong Chen , Miao Zhang , Jichen Lai , Jiakai Shao , Xiangyu Ye
Flexible and multifunctional wearable heaters have great demand and are popular in personal thermal management (PTM) and healthcare. However, manufacturing high-performance wearable heaters for real-world applications is challenging. Herein, a breathable nanofibrous membrane with self-cleaning, photothermal, and electrothermal heating properties for all‐day PTM was prepared by a facile method involving chemical deposition of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers, followed by coating with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The synergistic effects between CuS NPs and PDMS endowed the PDMS/CuS@TPU nanofibrous membrane with desirable dual-driven heating properties (up to 87.0°C under one sun irradiation and 93.2°C at an applied voltage of 3.0 V). Impressively, the obtained PDMS/CuS@TPU nanofibrous membrane exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA: 159.2°), superior self-cleaning ability, favorable water vapor transmittance (1.37 kg·m⁻²·d⁻¹), as well as efficient active‐deicing properties. This work explores a simple strategy for fabricating of a multifunctional wearable nanofibrous membrane with integrated performances for all‐day PTM and offers novel insights into the design of next-generation wearable heaters.
{"title":"Flexible and multifunctional wearable composite nanofiber membrane for all-day personal heating management","authors":"Guojun Jiang , Wenxue Wang , Jiaqi Zheng , Jingwen Xu , Hanyuan Zhuang , Qianjin Hu , Yong Chen , Miao Zhang , Jichen Lai , Jiakai Shao , Xiangyu Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexible and multifunctional wearable heaters have great demand and are popular in personal thermal management (PTM) and healthcare. However, manufacturing high-performance wearable heaters for real-world applications is challenging. Herein, a breathable nanofibrous membrane with self-cleaning, photothermal, and electrothermal heating properties for all‐day PTM was prepared by a facile method involving chemical deposition of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers, followed by coating with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The synergistic effects between CuS NPs and PDMS endowed the PDMS/CuS@TPU nanofibrous membrane with desirable dual-driven heating properties (up to 87.0°C under one sun irradiation and 93.2°C at an applied voltage of 3.0 V). Impressively, the obtained PDMS/CuS@TPU nanofibrous membrane exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA: 159.2°), superior self-cleaning ability, favorable water vapor transmittance (1.37 kg·m⁻²·d⁻¹), as well as efficient active‐deicing properties. This work explores a simple strategy for fabricating of a multifunctional wearable nanofibrous membrane with integrated performances for all‐day PTM and offers novel insights into the design of next-generation wearable heaters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108556"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108554
Samuel Babatunde Olushola , Kaleem Marc Anthony Bocus , Bilash Devnath , M. Toufiq Reza , Darshan G. Pahinkar
This work presents the development of a porous, hydrophobic zeolite 13X coating for the separation of carbon dioxide (CO2). Zeolite 13X was combined with yeast, glucose, and sodium alginate as pore-forming agents, and with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as hydrophobicity-inducing agents to enhance water resistance while maintaining CO2 access to the adsorbent. The study explored PTFE/13X mass ratios ranging from 0 to 2.33 to investigate the interplay between hydrophobicity and CO2 uptake. The wettability of the coating was characterized by using a temporal water contact angle (WCA) measurement. Increasing the PTFE fraction enhanced surface hydrophobicity, and for a PTFE/13X mass ratio of 2.00 and a PDMS binder between the coating and the substrates, achieved a WCA of 135°. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the effective distribution of both zeolite 13X and PTFE throughout the coating. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) confirmed that zeolite 13X remains unaffected. Yet, other hydrophilic ingredients have been converted into hydrophobic porous coatings using PTFE and PDMS. The coatings were tested for CO2 uptake after undergoing several water-imbibition and thermal-cycling tests, as well as water-vapor adsorption tests. The coatings with a PTFE/13X ratio of 2.00 on metallic substrates, along with a PDMS binder between the metal and the coating, were considered the best-case scenario from this work, with a WCA of 135°, excellent durability after thermal cycling, CO2 uptake performance within 30 % of that of pure 13X and suppression of water vapor affinity.
{"title":"Durable, hydrophobic and porous zeolite 13X coatings for resisting liquid water during CO2 desorption","authors":"Samuel Babatunde Olushola , Kaleem Marc Anthony Bocus , Bilash Devnath , M. Toufiq Reza , Darshan G. Pahinkar","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents the development of a porous, hydrophobic zeolite 13X coating for the separation of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Zeolite 13X was combined with yeast, glucose, and sodium alginate as pore-forming agents, and with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as hydrophobicity-inducing agents to enhance water resistance while maintaining CO<sub>2</sub> access to the adsorbent. The study explored PTFE/13X mass ratios ranging from 0 to 2.33 to investigate the interplay between hydrophobicity and CO<sub>2</sub> uptake. The wettability of the coating was characterized by using a temporal water contact angle (WCA) measurement. Increasing the PTFE fraction enhanced surface hydrophobicity, and for a PTFE/13X mass ratio of 2.00 and a PDMS binder between the coating and the substrates, achieved a WCA of 135°. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the effective distribution of both zeolite 13X and PTFE throughout the coating. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) confirmed that zeolite 13X remains unaffected. Yet, other hydrophilic ingredients have been converted into hydrophobic porous coatings using PTFE and PDMS. The coatings were tested for CO<sub>2</sub> uptake after undergoing several water-imbibition and thermal-cycling tests, as well as water-vapor adsorption tests. The coatings with a PTFE/13X ratio of 2.00 on metallic substrates, along with a PDMS binder between the metal and the coating, were considered the best-case scenario from this work, with a WCA of 135°, excellent durability after thermal cycling, CO<sub>2</sub> uptake performance within 30 % of that of pure 13X and suppression of water vapor affinity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108554"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108542
Yuanxun Cui, Chongyang Li, Anmin Hu, Ming Li, Tao Hang
The advancement of information technologies continues to drive innovations in advanced packaging, with bonding techniques progressively evolving toward low-temperature fine-pitch solutions. Micro-cone array (MCA) insertion bonding is an emerging bonding technology under active investigation. However, conventional implementations suffer from interfacial void formation, which limits the reduction in bonding parameters—particularly in attaining lower temperature and pressure. This work innovatively proposes a Cu/CoW/In MCA structure fabricated by electrodepositing a 40-nm CoW barrier layer and a 300-nm indium layer on Cu MCA. The indium layer can eliminate the interfacial voids via molten flow above its melting point (Tm =156.6 °C) or viscoplastic deformation below Tm, coupled with rapid diffusion into the Sn solder. Crucially, the CoW barrier is indispensable for suppressing premature CuIn intermetallic compound (IMC) formation prior to bonding. Optimized bonding parameters—170 °C/750 gf/300 s and 140 °C/1000 gf/300 s—both achieved void-free interfaces with shear strength above 40 MPa, exceeding the solder strength. After aging at 140 °C for 32 h, the interface exhibited progressive formation of Cu6Sn5 IMC with shear strength retention at ∼40 MPa. This work provides a low-temperature, low-pressure, high-quality bonding method for high-density interconnects, demonstrating significant engineering value for advanced packaging applications.
{"title":"Low-temperature bonding via micro-cone array insertion with indium-mediated interfacial void elimination","authors":"Yuanxun Cui, Chongyang Li, Anmin Hu, Ming Li, Tao Hang","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The advancement of information technologies continues to drive innovations in advanced packaging, with bonding techniques progressively evolving toward low-temperature fine-pitch solutions. Micro-cone array (MCA) insertion bonding is an emerging bonding technology under active investigation. However, conventional implementations suffer from interfacial void formation, which limits the reduction in bonding parameters—particularly in attaining lower temperature and pressure. This work innovatively proposes a Cu/CoW/In MCA structure fabricated by electrodepositing a 40-nm CoW barrier layer and a 300-nm indium layer on Cu MCA. The indium layer can eliminate the interfacial voids via molten flow above its melting point (<em>T</em><sub>m</sub> =156.6 °C) or viscoplastic deformation below <em>T</em><sub>m</sub>, coupled with rapid diffusion into the Sn solder. Crucially, the CoW barrier is indispensable for suppressing premature CuIn intermetallic compound (IMC) formation prior to bonding. Optimized bonding parameters—170 °C/750 gf/300 s and 140 °C/1000 gf/300 s—both achieved void-free interfaces with shear strength above 40 MPa, exceeding the solder strength. After aging at 140 °C for 32 h, the interface exhibited progressive formation of Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> IMC with shear strength retention at ∼40 MPa. This work provides a low-temperature, low-pressure, high-quality bonding method for high-density interconnects, demonstrating significant engineering value for advanced packaging applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108542"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108539
V.M. Adhithya Venu , Daniel T. THANGADURAI , D Nataraj , K Senthilkumar
<div><div>Etoposide (ETO), a widely utilized chemotherapeutic agent, poses a significant environmental risk due to its incomplete metabolism and subsequent release into aquatic systems. This accumulation, stemming from pharmaceutical waste and human excretion, leads to environmental toxicity given ETO's inherent cytotoxic and persistent properties. In alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), we present a novel approach for the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of ETO. In the present work, a three-dimensional (3D) RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized using an <em>in situ</em> impregnation method for photocatalytic degradation of ETO under UV light. The as-prepared 3D nanocomposite underwent rigorous characterization using various techniques, including spectroscopy (XPS and Raman), microscopy (FESEM, HRTEM, and AFM), structural analysis (XRD), and surface analysis (BET). The UV–vis DRS analysis shows optical bandgap energy of the RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite was decreased to 2.95 eV compared with ZnO (3.07 eV). Photocatalytic degradation experiments were performed under UV-A light (λ<sub>ex</sub> 365 nm) with an initial ETO concentration of 60 ppm, exploring catalyst dosages of 10, 20, and 30 mg at pH 9, and a 10 mg dosage at pH 3. Remarkably, a clinically relevant ETO concentration of 60 ppm achieved approximately 95.29 % degradation with an optimal catalyst load of 10 mg. This enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is attributed to the combination of the heterojunction formation, high absorption, and enhanced charge separation. The TCSPC studies revealed that the average lifetime of RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO was enhanced 19 times (2.32 ns) compared to ZnO (0.12 ns), indicating efficient charge separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, more active sites, and high photocatalytic efficiency. The band edge potential of RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite was determined by Mott-Schottky analysis. The radical scavenger analysis and EPR studies confirmed that the enhanced ETO degradation efficiency was due to the presence of photogenerated electrons, OH, and O<sub>2</sub> radicals. The RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposites possess high structural stability after three consecutive cyclic experiments, as confirmed by XRD. This degradation method was also successfully applied to real biological matrices, demonstrating approximately 75 % degradation in urine samples within 100 min, underscoring the practical utility of the RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite. Identification of ETO degradation byproducts, including commercially unavailable podophyllotoxin derivatives, was conducted via Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Furthermore, we investigated the influence of catalyst dosage, pH, reaction time, and reusability, alongside ETO degradation kinetics. These findings strongly position the RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite as a sustainable and effective solution
{"title":"3D in situ RuO2/ZnO nanocomposite for heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of etoposide in biological fluid: Identification of podophyllotoxin derivatives by LCHRMS","authors":"V.M. Adhithya Venu , Daniel T. THANGADURAI , D Nataraj , K Senthilkumar","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108539","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108539","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Etoposide (ETO), a widely utilized chemotherapeutic agent, poses a significant environmental risk due to its incomplete metabolism and subsequent release into aquatic systems. This accumulation, stemming from pharmaceutical waste and human excretion, leads to environmental toxicity given ETO's inherent cytotoxic and persistent properties. In alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), we present a novel approach for the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of ETO. In the present work, a three-dimensional (3D) RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized using an <em>in situ</em> impregnation method for photocatalytic degradation of ETO under UV light. The as-prepared 3D nanocomposite underwent rigorous characterization using various techniques, including spectroscopy (XPS and Raman), microscopy (FESEM, HRTEM, and AFM), structural analysis (XRD), and surface analysis (BET). The UV–vis DRS analysis shows optical bandgap energy of the RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite was decreased to 2.95 eV compared with ZnO (3.07 eV). Photocatalytic degradation experiments were performed under UV-A light (λ<sub>ex</sub> 365 nm) with an initial ETO concentration of 60 ppm, exploring catalyst dosages of 10, 20, and 30 mg at pH 9, and a 10 mg dosage at pH 3. Remarkably, a clinically relevant ETO concentration of 60 ppm achieved approximately 95.29 % degradation with an optimal catalyst load of 10 mg. This enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is attributed to the combination of the heterojunction formation, high absorption, and enhanced charge separation. The TCSPC studies revealed that the average lifetime of RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO was enhanced 19 times (2.32 ns) compared to ZnO (0.12 ns), indicating efficient charge separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, more active sites, and high photocatalytic efficiency. The band edge potential of RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite was determined by Mott-Schottky analysis. The radical scavenger analysis and EPR studies confirmed that the enhanced ETO degradation efficiency was due to the presence of photogenerated electrons, OH, and O<sub>2</sub> radicals. The RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposites possess high structural stability after three consecutive cyclic experiments, as confirmed by XRD. This degradation method was also successfully applied to real biological matrices, demonstrating approximately 75 % degradation in urine samples within 100 min, underscoring the practical utility of the RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite. Identification of ETO degradation byproducts, including commercially unavailable podophyllotoxin derivatives, was conducted via Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Furthermore, we investigated the influence of catalyst dosage, pH, reaction time, and reusability, alongside ETO degradation kinetics. These findings strongly position the RuO<sub>2</sub>/ZnO nanocomposite as a sustainable and effective solution ","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108539"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108544
Shanming Fan , Xuelian Sun , Mingjun Peng, Yonghua Duan, Jun Li, Shanju Zheng, Mengnie Li
This study introduces an innovative approach that integrates anodization with gel-assisted electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to significantly enhance the corrosion resistance of a Zn-Cu-Ti alloy. The process begins with the formation of an anodic oxide film, which functions as both a protective base layer and a substrate for coloring. Subsequently, a silica-based sealing layer is deposited via EPD. This layer effectively fills the inherent porous structure of the anodic film, thereby improving its barrier properties while maintaining its decorative appearance. Hydrophobic modification further endows the composite coating with enhanced water repellency and corrosion resistance. Compositional analyses via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of zinc oxide and metallic zinc within the anodic film, along with hydrophobic functional groups on its surface. The sol-gel process introduces silica and polymeric silicates, which form a robust and hydrophobic network during EPD. A high water contact angle of 114.72° verifies the superhydrophobic nature of the coating. Salt spray testing demonstrated that this EPD coating possesses superior compactness, fewer defects, and significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to conventional anodized layers.
{"title":"Fabrication of highly corrosion-resistant Zn-Cu-Ti alloy coatings via anodization and gel-assisted electrophoretic deposition and study of their corrosion properties","authors":"Shanming Fan , Xuelian Sun , Mingjun Peng, Yonghua Duan, Jun Li, Shanju Zheng, Mengnie Li","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study introduces an innovative approach that integrates anodization with gel-assisted electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to significantly enhance the corrosion resistance of a Zn-Cu-Ti alloy. The process begins with the formation of an anodic oxide film, which functions as both a protective base layer and a substrate for coloring. Subsequently, a silica-based sealing layer is deposited via EPD. This layer effectively fills the inherent porous structure of the anodic film, thereby improving its barrier properties while maintaining its decorative appearance. Hydrophobic modification further endows the composite coating with enhanced water repellency and corrosion resistance. Compositional analyses via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of zinc oxide and metallic zinc within the anodic film, along with hydrophobic functional groups on its surface. The sol-gel process introduces silica and polymeric silicates, which form a robust and hydrophobic network during EPD. A high water contact angle of 114.72° verifies the superhydrophobic nature of the coating. Salt spray testing demonstrated that this EPD coating possesses superior compactness, fewer defects, and significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to conventional anodized layers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108544"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108548
Yi Ding , Fangzheng Chang , Li Jia
Biomimetic studies of plant surfaces have revealed that conical structures with curvature gradients can enable spontaneous directional transport of droplets from the apex to the base. This phenomenon provides valuable insights for designing functional surfaces capable of passive, energy-free liquid manipulation in complex or extreme environments. This work experimentally investigated droplet self-transport behavior on horizontally oriented single conical and coupled dual-conical surfaces, examining the influence of droplet physical properties and volume. A dimensionless self-transport number, STd, was proposed as an approximate indicator of the droplet transport dynamics. Empirical correlations based on STd were established to predict the droplet spreading diameter, thickness and contact line length. Results show that, on the single conical surface, droplet spreading diameter and thickness increase with STd. On the dual-conical surface, droplet contact line length exhibits a linear positive correlation with STd. Compared to the single conical surface, the average self-transport velocity on dual-conical surface increases by over 38.20% for identical droplet volumes, attributed to the groove depth gradient that promotes droplet transport efficiency. In sum, the proposed empirical correlations provide a quantitative framework for evaluating droplet wetting morphology, thereby providing a strategic framework for developing the conical surfaces with controllable droplet motion.
{"title":"Experimental investigation and modeling of low-surface-tension droplets self-transport on conical surfaces","authors":"Yi Ding , Fangzheng Chang , Li Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biomimetic studies of plant surfaces have revealed that conical structures with curvature gradients can enable spontaneous directional transport of droplets from the apex to the base. This phenomenon provides valuable insights for designing functional surfaces capable of passive, energy-free liquid manipulation in complex or extreme environments. This work experimentally investigated droplet self-transport behavior on horizontally oriented single conical and coupled dual-conical surfaces, examining the influence of droplet physical properties and volume. A dimensionless self-transport number, <em>ST</em><sub>d</sub>, was proposed as an approximate indicator of the droplet transport dynamics. Empirical correlations based on <em>ST</em><sub>d</sub> were established to predict the droplet spreading diameter, thickness and contact line length. Results show that, on the single conical surface, droplet spreading diameter and thickness increase with <em>ST</em><sub>d</sub>. On the dual-conical surface, droplet contact line length exhibits a linear positive correlation with <em>ST</em><sub>d</sub>. Compared to the single conical surface, the average self-transport velocity on dual-conical surface increases by over 38.20% for identical droplet volumes, attributed to the groove depth gradient that promotes droplet transport efficiency. In sum, the proposed empirical correlations provide a quantitative framework for evaluating droplet wetting morphology, thereby providing a strategic framework for developing the conical surfaces with controllable droplet motion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108548"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108533
S. Abdel Aal , M. Khairy , Kamal A. Soliman
Titanium-functionalized borospherene nanocages (Ti@B₄₀ and Ti₆@B₄₀) are systematically investigated using dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D3) to evaluate their multifunctional performance in toxic gas sensing, capture, and photonic applications. Ti atoms anchor preferentially at heptagonal sites with a binding energy of –5.476 eV, while multi-site Ti₆@B₄₀ exhibits enhanced stabilization of –5.846 eV per Ti atom, exceeding the cohesive energy of bulk Ti and ensuring homogeneous dispersion of active sites. Molecular dynamics simulations provide extensive confirmation of the dynamic and thermal stability of the Ti₆@B₄₀ nanocluster, highlighting its potential as a structurally stable and energetically efficient candidate for multifunctional nanotechnological applications. Functionalization dramatically narrows the HOMO–LUMO gap to 1.288 eV for Ti@B₄₀ (ΔEgap = –55.52%) and further to 1.037 eV for Ti₆@B₄₀ (ΔEgap = –64.19%), enhancing electronic conductivity and chemical reactivity. Adsorption energies follow the descending order CN (–4.968 eV) > NO (–2.530 eV) > HCN (–1.301 eV) > CO (–1.245 eV), with CN adsorption exhibiting the strongest charge transfer (qTi = +1.064|e|; qCN = –0.57|e|) and large dipole induction (7.226 D), while HCN displays the highest dipole moment (10.97 D) despite its lower adsorption energy, indicating strong electrostatic polarization.
Recovery time analysis reveals that CO desorbs from Ti@B₄₀ within 3.54 seconds at 500 K, while HCN requires 13.3 seconds under the same conditions. These values are further reduced under UV irradiation, with CO/Ti@B₄₀ desorbing in 4.89 seconds at 400 K and HCN/Ti@B₄₀ within 0.013 seconds at 500 K. In contrast, CN adsorption is effectively irreversible, exhibiting an exceptionally high recovery time of τ ≈ 4.63 × 10⁴⁹ s for CN/B₄₀ and ≥10²⁶ s for (CN)₆/Ti₆@B₄₀, confirming its potential for long-term capture and storage applications. Time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) spectra reveal analyte-specific optical signatures, with NO/Ti@B₄₀ exhibiting the most intense red-shifted absorption band near 950 nm, and (CO)₆/Ti₆@B₄₀ showing strong shortwave infrared (SWIR) absorption in the 1350–1400 nm region. These results establish Ti-decorated B₄₀ as a multifunctional nanomaterial, combining selective toxic gas detection, reversible adsorption based storage, and advanced optical and nonlinear photonic performance.
{"title":"Ti-functionalized borospherene nanocages as high performance materials for selective toxic gas capture, storage, and optical sensing","authors":"S. Abdel Aal , M. Khairy , Kamal A. Soliman","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108533","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108533","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Titanium-functionalized borospherene nanocages (Ti@B₄₀ and Ti₆@B₄₀) are systematically investigated using dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D3) to evaluate their multifunctional performance in toxic gas sensing, capture, and photonic applications. Ti atoms anchor preferentially at heptagonal sites with a binding energy of –5.476 eV, while multi-site Ti₆@B₄₀ exhibits enhanced stabilization of –5.846 eV per Ti atom, exceeding the cohesive energy of bulk Ti and ensuring homogeneous dispersion of active sites. Molecular dynamics simulations provide extensive confirmation of the dynamic and thermal stability of the Ti₆@B₄₀ nanocluster, highlighting its potential as a structurally stable and energetically efficient candidate for multifunctional nanotechnological applications. Functionalization dramatically narrows the HOMO–LUMO gap to 1.288 eV for Ti@B₄₀ (ΔEgap = –55.52%) and further to 1.037 eV for Ti₆@B₄₀ (ΔEgap = –64.19%), enhancing electronic conductivity and chemical reactivity. Adsorption energies follow the descending order CN (–4.968 eV) > NO (–2.530 eV) > HCN (–1.301 eV) > CO (–1.245 eV), with CN adsorption exhibiting the strongest charge transfer (qTi = +1.064|e|; qCN = –0.57|e|) and large dipole induction (7.226 D), while HCN displays the highest dipole moment (10.97 D) despite its lower adsorption energy, indicating strong electrostatic polarization.</div><div>Recovery time analysis reveals that CO desorbs from Ti@B₄₀ within 3.54 seconds at 500 K, while HCN requires 13.3 seconds under the same conditions. These values are further reduced under UV irradiation, with CO/Ti@B₄₀ desorbing in 4.89 seconds at 400 K and HCN/Ti@B₄₀ within 0.013 seconds at 500 K. In contrast, CN adsorption is effectively irreversible, exhibiting an exceptionally high recovery time of τ ≈ 4.63 × 10⁴⁹ s for CN/B₄₀ and ≥10²⁶ s for (CN)₆/Ti₆@B₄₀, confirming its potential for long-term capture and storage applications. Time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) spectra reveal analyte-specific optical signatures, with NO/Ti@B₄₀ exhibiting the most intense red-shifted absorption band near 950 nm, and (CO)₆/Ti₆@B₄₀ showing strong shortwave infrared (SWIR) absorption in the 1350–1400 nm region. These results establish Ti-decorated B₄₀ as a multifunctional nanomaterial, combining selective toxic gas detection, reversible adsorption based storage, and advanced optical and nonlinear photonic performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108533"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108550
Yunseok Kim , Seulwon Choi , Huichan Kang , Ho Jun Kim , Hwanyeol Park
In this work, we present a multiscale modelling study that integrates density functional theory (DFT) calculations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) of Al2O3 films using trimethylaluminum (TMA) and H2O precursors. DFT was used to elucidate the reaction energetics on hydroxyl‑terminated α-Al2O3(0001) surfaces, revealing mechanistic details, such as adsorption pathways, activation barriers, and rate-determining steps in both half-reactions. These atomic-level insights were incorporated into a transient CFD model of the in-line SALD reactor to explore the coupled phenomena of precursor transport, flow hydrodynamics, and surface chemistry under various processing conditions. Special attention was paid to the comparison of the top- and bottom-purging configurations, where the exhaust positions clearly influenced flow patterns and vortex formation, thereby affecting precursor uniformity and mixing. Simulations captured the self-limiting half-cycles of TMA and H2O, demonstrating that once the substrate surface sites were saturated, no further reactions occurred, regardless of the precursor excess. Parametric analyses further showed how substrate velocity and temperature can be optimized to balance film growth rate, precursor utilization, and overall process efficiency. Taken together, these results offer practical guidelines for the design of the SALD reactor by revealing how geometric parameters and operating conditions govern uniform film deposition. By combining DFT-derived chemical kinetics with reactor-scale CFD simulations, this study provides a robust framework for predicting and fine-tuning thin film growth in efficient, cost-effective SALD systems.
{"title":"Multiscale computational fluid dynamics modelling of spatial atomic layer deposition processes: Application to chamber design and process control","authors":"Yunseok Kim , Seulwon Choi , Huichan Kang , Ho Jun Kim , Hwanyeol Park","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108550","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108550","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, we present a multiscale modelling study that integrates density functional theory (DFT) calculations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> films using trimethylaluminum (TMA) and H<sub>2</sub>O precursors. DFT was used to elucidate the reaction energetics on hydroxyl‑terminated α-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>(0001) surfaces, revealing mechanistic details, such as adsorption pathways, activation barriers, and rate-determining steps in both half-reactions. These atomic-level insights were incorporated into a transient CFD model of the in-line SALD reactor to explore the coupled phenomena of precursor transport, flow hydrodynamics, and surface chemistry under various processing conditions. Special attention was paid to the comparison of the top- and bottom-purging configurations, where the exhaust positions clearly influenced flow patterns and vortex formation, thereby affecting precursor uniformity and mixing. Simulations captured the self-limiting half-cycles of TMA and H<sub>2</sub>O, demonstrating that once the substrate surface sites were saturated, no further reactions occurred, regardless of the precursor excess. Parametric analyses further showed how substrate velocity and temperature can be optimized to balance film growth rate, precursor utilization, and overall process efficiency. Taken together, these results offer practical guidelines for the design of the SALD reactor by revealing how geometric parameters and operating conditions govern uniform film deposition. By combining DFT-derived chemical kinetics with reactor-scale CFD simulations, this study provides a robust framework for predicting and fine-tuning thin film growth in efficient, cost-effective SALD systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 108550"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108537
Sakthivel Chandrasekar , Bo Liu , Nivetha Ambikapathi , Venkatraman Pitchaikannu , Premkumar Sellan , Prabha Inbaraj , Mir Waqas Alam , Qiang Jing , Lei Wei , Lalit Mohan Aggarwal , Sunil Choudhary , Li Yongqiang
The fabrication of Bi₂Ce₂O₇ represents a significant advancement toward sustainable radiation shielding materials. In this work, a novel Bi₂Ce₂O₇ semiconductor was synthesized from Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄, exhibiting an insulator-to-semiconductor transition and enabling multifunctional applications in radiation shielding, photocatalysis, and phytotoxicity mitigation. Comprehensive physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations were performed. XRD analysis revealed crystallite sizes of 13.36 nm for Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄ and 11.96 nm for Bi₂Ce₂O₇ nanoparticles (NPs), while FTIR spectra confirmed Bi₂Ce₂O₇ formation through characteristic metal-oxygen vibrations after annealing at 700°C for 2 h. The Bi₂Ce₂O₇ NPs showed an average particle size of ∼39 nm and a high surface area of 81.765 m² g⁻¹, indicating finer morphology compared to the precursor hydroxide. Notably, Bi₂Ce₂O₇ exhibited higher absorption efficiency for gamma rays than X-rays and demonstrated superior shielding against X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons, achieving a low half-value layer (HVL) of 0.210 cm relative to commercial materials. Photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of 82.20% and 97.59 % were obtained for Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄ and Bi₂Ce₂O₇, respectively, toward methylene blue. Weber-Morris intraparticle diffusion analysis revealed a multistep degradation mechanism. Enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the anionic surface of Bi₂Ce₂O₇, which promotes charge separation and reactive radical generation. This study presents Bi₂Ce₂O₇ as a non-toxic, lead-free candidate for radiation shielding, environmental, and protective applications, marking the first report on the radiation attenuation performance of Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄ and Bi₂Ce₂O₇ NPs.
{"title":"Hydrothermal synthesis of Bi-Ce hydroxide/oxide nanomaterials: Multifunctional platforms for radiation shielding and environmental applications","authors":"Sakthivel Chandrasekar , Bo Liu , Nivetha Ambikapathi , Venkatraman Pitchaikannu , Premkumar Sellan , Prabha Inbaraj , Mir Waqas Alam , Qiang Jing , Lei Wei , Lalit Mohan Aggarwal , Sunil Choudhary , Li Yongqiang","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108537","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108537","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The fabrication of Bi₂Ce₂O₇ represents a significant advancement toward sustainable radiation shielding materials. In this work, a novel Bi₂Ce₂O₇ semiconductor was synthesized from Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄, exhibiting an insulator-to-semiconductor transition and enabling multifunctional applications in radiation shielding, photocatalysis, and phytotoxicity mitigation. Comprehensive physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations were performed. XRD analysis revealed crystallite sizes of 13.36 nm for Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄ and 11.96 nm for Bi₂Ce₂O₇ nanoparticles (NPs), while FTIR spectra confirmed Bi₂Ce₂O₇ formation through characteristic metal-oxygen vibrations after annealing at 700°C for 2 h. The Bi₂Ce₂O₇ NPs showed an average particle size of ∼39 nm and a high surface area of 81.765 m² g⁻¹, indicating finer morphology compared to the precursor hydroxide. Notably, Bi₂Ce₂O₇ exhibited higher absorption efficiency for gamma rays than X-rays and demonstrated superior shielding against X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons, achieving a low half-value layer (HVL) of 0.210 cm relative to commercial materials. Photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of 82.20% and 97.59 % were obtained for Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄ and Bi₂Ce₂O₇, respectively, toward methylene blue. Weber-Morris intraparticle diffusion analysis revealed a multistep degradation mechanism. Enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the anionic surface of Bi₂Ce₂O₇, which promotes charge separation and reactive radical generation. This study presents Bi₂Ce₂O₇ as a non-toxic, lead-free candidate for radiation shielding, environmental, and protective applications, marking the first report on the radiation attenuation performance of Bi₂Ce₂OH₁₄ and Bi₂Ce₂O₇ NPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 108537"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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