Pub Date : 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108727
Prachi Gurawal , Somdatta Singh , Ravikant Adalati , Mohit Madaan , Gaurav Malik , V.K. Malik , Ramesh Chandra
This report investigates a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) thin film-based gas sensor fabricated on a porous silicon (PSi) network through magnetron sputtering to enhance surface-area-driven sensing performance. Pristine MoS2 gas sensor typically suffers from low response, slow kinetics, and incomplete recovery, limiting their practical applicability. To overcome these limitations, introducing porosity on the silicon employing electrochemical anodization, amplifies the available surface area for MoS2 deposition. Concurrently, altering its surface wettability from hydrophilic (58.4°) to nearly superhydrophobic (141.8°). The edge-rich nanoworms-like morphology of the deposited MoS2 thin film further provide abundant active sites for gas adsorption. The sensing characteristics of the MoS2@PSi sensor has been investigated over a temperature range of 40–140 °C under 100 ppm NO2 exposure to determine optimal operating conditions. The sensor demonstrates a maximum response of 41.4 % at 120 °C and exhibits high sensitivity with a practical detection limit of 50 ppb, yielding a notable response of 16.8 %. Furthermore, the high pore density enhances surface roughness, strengthening the stability of the sensor in a humid environment (10–70% RH). These results highlight the MoS2@PSi platform as a promising candidate for efficient, selective, and humidity-resilient NO2 gas sensing applications.
{"title":"Porous network assisted MoS2-based humidity-resilient chemiresistive sensor for NO2 detection","authors":"Prachi Gurawal , Somdatta Singh , Ravikant Adalati , Mohit Madaan , Gaurav Malik , V.K. Malik , Ramesh Chandra","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This report investigates a molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) thin film-based gas sensor fabricated on a porous silicon (PSi) network through magnetron sputtering to enhance surface-area-driven sensing performance. Pristine MoS<sub>2</sub> gas sensor typically suffers from low response, slow kinetics, and incomplete recovery, limiting their practical applicability. To overcome these limitations, introducing porosity on the silicon employing electrochemical anodization, amplifies the available surface area for MoS<sub>2</sub> deposition. Concurrently, altering its surface wettability from hydrophilic (58.4°) to nearly superhydrophobic (141.8°). The edge-rich nanoworms-like morphology of the deposited MoS<sub>2</sub> thin film further provide abundant active sites for gas adsorption. The sensing characteristics of the MoS<sub>2</sub>@PSi sensor has been investigated over a temperature range of 40–140 °C under 100 ppm NO<sub>2</sub> exposure to determine optimal operating conditions. The sensor demonstrates a maximum response of 41.4 % at 120 °C and exhibits high sensitivity with a practical detection limit of 50 ppb, yielding a notable response of 16.8 %. Furthermore, the high pore density enhances surface roughness, strengthening the stability of the sensor in a humid environment (10–70% RH). These results highlight the MoS<sub>2</sub>@PSi platform as a promising candidate for efficient, selective, and humidity-resilient NO<sub>2</sub> gas sensing applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108727"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175421","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 : 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108738
Arati Chandragupta Mehere , Milind Dilip Babar , Bapu P. Patil , Mansi Sopan Rathod , Satish K. Pardeshi , Prashant Kailas Bankar , Sopan M. Rathod
Nickel-substituted cobalt ferrite nanostructures, NiXCo1-XFe2O4 (X = 0.1–0.7), were synthesized via a sol–gel auto-combustion route to explain the role of Ni²⁺ incorporation on structural evolution and electrochemical functionality. Progressive nickel substitution induced a significant refinement in crystallite dimensions, decreasing from ∼30 nm to ∼13 nm, with the most pronounced reduction observed at X = 0.3. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of nearly spherical nanoparticles with an average size of ∼14 nm for this optimized composition. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR and XPS) verified the formation of a single-phase spinel structure and confirmed the presence of mixed transition metal states. Electrochemical evaluation in 1 M Na₂SO₄ revealed a composition-dependent capacitive response, where Ni₀.₃Co₀.₇Fe₂O₄ exhibited superior charge-storage characteristics, delivering a specific capacitance of 1700 F g⁻¹ at 10 mV s⁻¹ and retaining 91.8% of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles. The enhanced performance is attributed to synergistic effects arising from optimized particle size, improved ion diffusion pathways, and increased electroactive surface area. A symmetric supercapacitor assembled using the optimized electrode demonstrated robust cycling stability (96% retention), achieving an energy density of 32 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 5760 W kg⁻¹. These findings highlight the critical influence of controlled Ni substitution in tailoring ferrite nanostructures for high-performance energy storage applications.
采用溶胶-凝胶自燃烧的方法合成了镍取代钴铁氧体纳米结构NiXCo1-XFe2O4 (X = 0.1-0.7)，以解释Ni 2 +掺入对结构演化和电化学功能的影响。逐渐的镍取代引起了晶体尺寸的显著细化，从~ 30 nm减小到~ 13 nm，在X = 0.3时观察到最明显的减小。透射电子显微镜证实，该优化组合物形成了平均尺寸为~ 14 nm的近球形纳米颗粒。光谱分析（FTIR和XPS）证实了单相尖晶石结构的形成，并证实了混合过渡金属态的存在。在1 M Na₂SO₄中进行电化学评价发现了一种依赖于成分的电容响应，其中Ni₀₃Co₀。₇Fe₂O₄表现出优异的电荷存储特性，在10 mV s时提供1700 F g⁻¹的比电容，在5000次循环后保持91.8%的初始容量。性能的增强是由于优化粒径、改善离子扩散途径和增加电活性表面积所产生的协同效应。使用优化电极组装的对称超级电容器表现出强大的循环稳定性（96%的保留率），在5760 W kg⁻¹的功率密度下实现32 Wh kg的能量密度。这些发现强调了控制Ni取代对定制高性能储能应用的铁氧体纳米结构的关键影响。
{"title":"Fabrication of Ni2+ doped cobalt ferrite electrode to enhance the specific capacitance for supercapacitor application","authors":"Arati Chandragupta Mehere , Milind Dilip Babar , Bapu P. Patil , Mansi Sopan Rathod , Satish K. Pardeshi , Prashant Kailas Bankar , Sopan M. Rathod","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108738","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108738","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nickel-substituted cobalt ferrite nanostructures, Ni<sub>X</sub>Co<sub>1-X</sub>Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (X = 0.1–0.7), were synthesized via a sol–gel auto-combustion route to explain the role of Ni²⁺ incorporation on structural evolution and electrochemical functionality. Progressive nickel substitution induced a significant refinement in crystallite dimensions, decreasing from ∼30 nm to ∼13 nm, with the most pronounced reduction observed at <em>X</em> = 0.3. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of nearly spherical nanoparticles with an average size of ∼14 nm for this optimized composition. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR and XPS) verified the formation of a single-phase spinel structure and confirmed the presence of mixed transition metal states. Electrochemical evaluation in 1 M Na₂SO₄ revealed a composition-dependent capacitive response, where Ni₀.₃Co₀.₇Fe₂O₄ exhibited superior charge-storage characteristics, delivering a specific capacitance of 1700 F g⁻¹ at 10 mV s⁻¹ and retaining 91.8% of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles. The enhanced performance is attributed to synergistic effects arising from optimized particle size, improved ion diffusion pathways, and increased electroactive surface area. A symmetric supercapacitor assembled using the optimized electrode demonstrated robust cycling stability (96% retention), achieving an energy density of 32 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 5760 W kg⁻¹. These findings highlight the critical influence of controlled Ni substitution in tailoring ferrite nanostructures for high-performance energy storage applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108738"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175428","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 : 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108725
Sung Kuk Jeong , Masad Mezher Hasan , Semin Lim , Jongwook Park , Mohd Roslee Othman , Jinsoo Kim
This study explored the rational design and optimization of 2D ZIF-67 nanosheets for integration into microporous mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) to engineer high-performance gas separation technologies. By investigating the hydrothermal synthesis parameters, the study revealed that the optimal condition of 120 °C for 1 hour yielded highly crystalline nanosheets with a 1.3 μm lateral size and a large surface area of 1207 m²/g. When incorporated into a PEBAX 1657 polymer matrix, these nanosheets exhibited a horizontal orientation, which enhanced anisotropic diffusion pathways, selectively impeded N2 transport, and promoted CO2 permeability, despite the former’s more diffusive character. This alignment maximized the nanosheets' intrinsic molecular sieving properties, creating a tortuous diffusion network that significantly improved the gas selectivity. The study offered key fundamental insights into structure-property relationships governing gas transport in hybrid membranes, demonstrating that the synergy between molecular sieving, polymer rigidification, and controlled nanosheet alignment enabled an exceptional CO2/N2 ideal selectivity of 108 and a CO2 permeability of 80 Barrer, surpassing the 2008 Robeson upper boundary. Furthermore, optimization using response-surface methodology indicated that under optimal conditions i.e., N2 composition of 0.74, a feed pressure of 4.52 bar, and a stage cut of 0.85, the membrane achieved maximum N2 purity and recovery, both reaching 100%. Under operational conditions (N2 composition of 0.50, a feed pressure of 15 bar, and a stage cut of 0.15), the membrane demonstrated a maximum CO2 purity of 97.80% and a CO2 recovery of 100%. These findings highlight the potential of 2D ZIF-67-based MMMs in next-generation gas separation applications.
{"title":"Anisotropic 2D ZIF-67 nanosheets for enhanced CO2/N2 separation in mixed-matrix membranes","authors":"Sung Kuk Jeong , Masad Mezher Hasan , Semin Lim , Jongwook Park , Mohd Roslee Othman , Jinsoo Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explored the rational design and optimization of 2D ZIF-67 nanosheets for integration into microporous mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) to engineer high-performance gas separation technologies. By investigating the hydrothermal synthesis parameters, the study revealed that the optimal condition of 120 °C for 1 hour yielded highly crystalline nanosheets with a 1.3 μm lateral size and a large surface area of 1207 m²/g. When incorporated into a PEBAX 1657 polymer matrix, these nanosheets exhibited a horizontal orientation, which enhanced anisotropic diffusion pathways, selectively impeded N<sub>2</sub> transport, and promoted CO<sub>2</sub> permeability, despite the former’s more diffusive character. This alignment maximized the nanosheets' intrinsic molecular sieving properties, creating a tortuous diffusion network that significantly improved the gas selectivity. The study offered key fundamental insights into structure-property relationships governing gas transport in hybrid membranes, demonstrating that the synergy between molecular sieving, polymer rigidification, and controlled nanosheet alignment enabled an exceptional CO<sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub> ideal selectivity of 108 and a CO<sub>2</sub> permeability of 80 Barrer, surpassing the 2008 Robeson upper boundary. Furthermore, optimization using response-surface methodology indicated that under optimal conditions i.e., N<sub>2</sub> composition of 0.74, a feed pressure of 4.52 bar, and a stage cut of 0.85, the membrane achieved maximum N<sub>2</sub> purity and recovery, both reaching 100%. Under operational conditions (N<sub>2</sub> composition of 0.50, a feed pressure of 15 bar, and a stage cut of 0.15), the membrane demonstrated a maximum CO<sub>2</sub> purity of 97.80% and a CO<sub>2</sub> recovery of 100%. These findings highlight the potential of 2D ZIF-67-based MMMs in next-generation gas separation applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108725"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175482","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 : 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108720
HongWei Ding , Wang Yu , Zengming Qin , ShuaiWei Wang
Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is extensively used in modern power systems, in which sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) acts as a crucial insulating and arc-quenching medium. Under abnormal operating conditions, SF6 decomposes into toxic byproducts such as H2S, SO2, and SOF2, posing serious risks to equipment safety. Therefore, the development of highly sensitive and reliable sensing materials for SF6 decomposition gases is of great importance. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to systematically investigate the adsorption and sensing properties of Co, Fe, Rh, and Ru-doped VCl2 monolayers toward H2S, SO2, and SOF2 molecules. All TM-VCl2 systems exhibit good thermodynamic stability, with binding energies ranging from -4.606 to -6.576 eV, ensuring structurally robust sensing substrates. Gas adsorption induces evident charge transfer (from -0.141 to 0.808 e) and strong orbital hybridization, leading to pronounced modulation of the electronic structure near the Fermi level. Among the investigated systems, Ru-VCl2 shows the strongest interaction with SO2, achieving a high adsorption energy of -2.100 eV, while its band gap increases significantly from 0.157 to 0.479 eV after H2S adsorption, indicating a remarkable conductivity variation. Rh–VCl2 exhibits an outstanding sensitivity toward SO2, with a maximum sensitivity reaching 87.26%. In addition, Co-VCl2 demonstrates a fast recovery behavior for SO2 at elevated temperature, with a recovery time as short as 6.62 × 10–3 s at 498 K, whereas Fe-VCl2 maintains sensitivities above 44% and moderate recovery times over a wide temperature range. Overall, this study demonstrates that transition metal doping effectively tailors the adsorption behavior and sensing performance of VCl2 monolayers, highlighting their promising potential for high-performance gas sensors targeting SF6 decomposition products in GIS applications.
{"title":"TM-Doped VCl2 monolayers as gas sensors for SF6 decomposed species: A first-principles study","authors":"HongWei Ding , Wang Yu , Zengming Qin , ShuaiWei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is extensively used in modern power systems, in which sulfur hexafluoride (SF<sub>6</sub>) acts as a crucial insulating and arc-quenching medium. Under abnormal operating conditions, SF<sub>6</sub> decomposes into toxic byproducts such as H<sub>2</sub>S, SO<sub>2</sub>, and SOF<sub>2</sub>, posing serious risks to equipment safety. Therefore, the development of highly sensitive and reliable sensing materials for SF<sub>6</sub> decomposition gases is of great importance. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to systematically investigate the adsorption and sensing properties of Co, Fe, Rh, and Ru-doped VCl<sub>2</sub> monolayers toward H<sub>2</sub>S, SO<sub>2</sub>, and SOF<sub>2</sub> molecules. All TM-VCl<sub>2</sub> systems exhibit good thermodynamic stability, with binding energies ranging from -4.606 to -6.576 eV, ensuring structurally robust sensing substrates. Gas adsorption induces evident charge transfer (from -0.141 to 0.808 e) and strong orbital hybridization, leading to pronounced modulation of the electronic structure near the Fermi level. Among the investigated systems, Ru-VCl<sub>2</sub> shows the strongest interaction with SO<sub>2</sub>, achieving a high adsorption energy of -2.100 eV, while its band gap increases significantly from 0.157 to 0.479 eV after H<sub>2</sub>S adsorption, indicating a remarkable conductivity variation. Rh–VCl<sub>2</sub> exhibits an outstanding sensitivity toward SO<sub>2</sub>, with a maximum sensitivity reaching 87.26%. In addition, Co-VCl<sub>2</sub> demonstrates a fast recovery behavior for SO<sub>2</sub> at elevated temperature, with a recovery time as short as 6.62 × 10<sup>–3</sup> s at 498 K, whereas Fe-VCl<sub>2</sub> maintains sensitivities above 44% and moderate recovery times over a wide temperature range. Overall, this study demonstrates that transition metal doping effectively tailors the adsorption behavior and sensing performance of VCl<sub>2</sub> monolayers, highlighting their promising potential for high-performance gas sensors targeting SF<sub>6</sub> decomposition products in GIS applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108720"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175419","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 : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108704
Daniel Arulraj Abraham , Ai-Dong Li , Abhilash KP , Kavinkumar T
Flexible devices are in demand for the future development of electronic products. This study introduces a method where a uniform HfO2 thin nanofilm (10 nm) is deposited on flexible carbon cloth (CC) using atomic layer deposition (ALD). This electrode replaces traditional glassy carbon electrodes and other metal electrodes used in sensor fabrication. The ALD technique is employed for the first time in the fabrication of nanomaterials for non-enzymatic uric acid detection, offering advantages such as a solvent-free, binder-free, and low-chemical synthesis process. Synergistic effect of CC and HfO2 active sites contributes to its benchmark performance as a uric-acid sensors. HfO2 structure can supply more reaction sites and ion diffusion pathways. ALD-derived HfO2 exhibit a significant number of oxygen vacancies due to the suboxide formation. These oxygen vacancies or defects act as charge-trapping sites, and when biomolecules are introduced, the film electrical conductivity is altered. The presence of a uniformly distributed, grainy porous structure explains the successful immobilization of uric acid on HfO₂. The highly rough surface and large surface area of 200-HfO₂/CC boost uric acid sensitivity by more than five times compared with cleaned CC. This research work confirmed that the sensor possesses high selectivity and good reproducibility, suggesting its ability for practical application. HfO2 with a nanofilm structure was chosen for the selective detection of uric acid for the first time, with higher stability and lower detection level (10 nM) (less than reported literature). Herein, this study presents a promising electrocatalyst for nonenzymatic uric acid detection and real-time monitoring of uric acid in human serum and urine for disease prevention.
{"title":"A Flexible HfO2 Nanofilm deposition on activated carbon fiber using atomic layer deposition method for Uric acid Detection","authors":"Daniel Arulraj Abraham , Ai-Dong Li , Abhilash KP , Kavinkumar T","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexible devices are in demand for the future development of electronic products. This study introduces a method where a uniform HfO<sub>2</sub> thin nanofilm (10 nm) is deposited on flexible carbon cloth (CC) using atomic layer deposition (ALD). This electrode replaces traditional glassy carbon electrodes and other metal electrodes used in sensor fabrication. The ALD technique is employed for the first time in the fabrication of nanomaterials for non-enzymatic uric acid detection, offering advantages such as a solvent-free, binder-free, and low-chemical synthesis process. Synergistic effect of CC and HfO<sub>2</sub> active sites contributes to its benchmark performance as a uric-acid sensors. HfO<sub>2</sub> structure can supply more reaction sites and ion diffusion pathways. ALD-derived HfO<sub>2</sub> exhibit a significant number of oxygen vacancies due to the suboxide formation. These oxygen vacancies or defects act as charge-trapping sites, and when biomolecules are introduced, the film electrical conductivity is altered. The presence of a uniformly distributed, grainy porous structure explains the successful immobilization of uric acid on HfO₂. The highly rough surface and large surface area of 200-HfO₂/CC boost uric acid sensitivity by more than five times compared with cleaned CC. This research work confirmed that the sensor possesses high selectivity and good reproducibility, suggesting its ability for practical application. HfO<sub>2</sub> with a nanofilm structure was chosen for the selective detection of uric acid for the first time, with higher stability and lower detection level (10 nM) (less than reported literature). Herein, this study presents a promising electrocatalyst for nonenzymatic uric acid detection and real-time monitoring of uric acid in human serum and urine for disease prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108704"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175426","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 : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108709
Roshan Kumar Jha, Sumantra Mandal
In this study, atomistic simulations have been performed to investigate the role of amorphous grain boundaries (AGBs) in mitigating radiation damage and influencing the mechanical properties of the Ni-Nb alloy. In this regard, AGBs of various GB thickness (i.e., 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm, and 4 nm) have been constructed using molecular dynamics simulations. To investigate the radiation induced damage, the GB has been irradiated using primary-knock-on atom (PKA) with varying energies of 2.5 keV, 5 keV, and 10 keV, respectively, at 300 K. The simulation results indicate that as the thickness of AGBs increases from 1 nm to 4 nm, a significant reduction in the defect region width is observed during both the peak damage and residual stages. Notably, for an AGB thickness of 4 nm, the defect width decreases to one-fourth of that in the thin ordered pure Ni GB, with defects being completely absent in the bulk region under the simulated conditions. Finally, simulated tensile tests were conducted to evaluate the impact of irradiation damage on the mechanical properties of different GBs. The simulated tensile results reveal that the thinner AGBs (1–2 nm) retained more strength after irradiation than the thicker ones (3–4 nm). This contrasting behavior is primarily attributed to the greater number of irradiation-induced defects generated in the bulk region of thinner AGBs (1–2 nm), which contribute to radiation-induced strengthening. In contrast, in thicker AGBs, these defects are more effectively absorbed, thus diminishing their strengthening effect.
{"title":"Influence of amorphous grain boundaries on radiation induced damage mitigation and its role on mechanical properties in Ni-Nb alloy","authors":"Roshan Kumar Jha, Sumantra Mandal","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, atomistic simulations have been performed to investigate the role of amorphous grain boundaries (AGBs) in mitigating radiation damage and influencing the mechanical properties of the Ni-Nb alloy. In this regard, AGBs of various GB thickness (i.e., 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm, and 4 nm) have been constructed using molecular dynamics simulations. To investigate the radiation induced damage, the GB has been irradiated using primary-knock-on atom (PKA) with varying energies of <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>E</mi><mrow><mo>_</mo><mtext>PKA</mtext></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mspace></mspace></mrow></math></span>2.5 keV, 5 keV, and 10 keV, respectively, at 300 K. The simulation results indicate that as the thickness of AGBs increases from 1 nm to 4 nm, a significant reduction in the defect region width is observed during both the peak damage and residual stages. Notably, for an AGB thickness of 4 nm, the defect width decreases to one-fourth of that in the thin ordered pure Ni GB, with defects being completely absent in the bulk region under the simulated conditions. Finally, simulated tensile tests were conducted to evaluate the impact of irradiation damage on the mechanical properties of different GBs. The simulated tensile results reveal that the thinner AGBs (1–2 nm) retained more strength after irradiation than the thicker ones (3–4 nm). This contrasting behavior is primarily attributed to the greater number of irradiation-induced defects generated in the bulk region of thinner AGBs (1–2 nm), which contribute to radiation-induced strengthening. In contrast, in thicker AGBs, these defects are more effectively absorbed, thus diminishing their strengthening effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108709"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175157","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 : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108696
Benliang Hou , Thu Thuy Duong , Yubin Chang , Yea Eun Lee , Seung Hyun Kim , Hoyoul Kong , Juyoung Kim , Se Hyun Kim , Hyeok-jin Kwon
We report the design of a siloxane-based organic–inorganic hybrid dielectric system that simultaneously achieves high permittivity, interfacial stability, and controlled moisture interaction, essential for reliable low-voltage organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). The hybrid films were synthesized via controlled sol-gel processing of amphiphilic urethane precursors, alkoxysilanes, and fluorinated siloxane modifiers, yielding homogeneous structures with tunable thickness and suppressed phase separation. Polar functionalities embedded in the bulk enhance dipolar polarization and dielectric constant (higher than 5), while fluorinated surface layers effectively suppress moisture-induced interfacial trapping at the dielectric/organic semiconductor interface. The integrated hybrid architecture enables stable operation of OTFTs under low bias, demonstrating the potential of this approach for robust and scalable flexible electronic devices.
{"title":"Hydroxyl-rich siloxane hybrid dielectric with moisture-enhanced dipolar polarization and hydrophobic surface passivation for stable low-voltage OTFTs","authors":"Benliang Hou , Thu Thuy Duong , Yubin Chang , Yea Eun Lee , Seung Hyun Kim , Hoyoul Kong , Juyoung Kim , Se Hyun Kim , Hyeok-jin Kwon","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report the design of a siloxane-based organic–inorganic hybrid dielectric system that simultaneously achieves high permittivity, interfacial stability, and controlled moisture interaction, essential for reliable low-voltage organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). The hybrid films were synthesized via controlled sol-gel processing of amphiphilic urethane precursors, alkoxysilanes, and fluorinated siloxane modifiers, yielding homogeneous structures with tunable thickness and suppressed phase separation. Polar functionalities embedded in the bulk enhance dipolar polarization and dielectric constant (higher than 5), while fluorinated surface layers effectively suppress moisture-induced interfacial trapping at the dielectric/organic semiconductor interface. The integrated hybrid architecture enables stable operation of OTFTs under low bias, demonstrating the potential of this approach for robust and scalable flexible electronic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108696"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175483","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 : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108705
Wuxiu Ding , Duo Sun , Lan Zhang , Hongyi Wang , Yang Zhao , Weiguo He , Zhigang Du , Yongyan Yan
Applying protective coatings to the surface of stone heritage is one of the most common methods for its preservation. To enhance the weathering resistance of the limestone heritages, MIL-53@FS, a hydrophobic metal-organic framework (MOF) composite, was prepared through fluorosilane modification of MIL-53-OH synthesized via a solvothermal method. Characterization analyses were conducted using SEM, XRD, TGA, and FTIR techniques. The results indicated that MIL-53@FS maintained its well-ordered framework structure and certain porosity, while forming a continuous and uniform hydrophobic coating, leading to a significant increase of water contact angle to 127.14° and enhanced thermal stability. It exhibited excellent corrosion resistance, anti-icing performance, and color compatibility in the application tests, holding a promising outlook for protecting limestone-based heritages.
{"title":"Fluorosilane-modified MIL-53(Al) with enhanced hydrophobic performance for stone heritage conservation","authors":"Wuxiu Ding , Duo Sun , Lan Zhang , Hongyi Wang , Yang Zhao , Weiguo He , Zhigang Du , Yongyan Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Applying protective coatings to the surface of stone heritage is one of the most common methods for its preservation. To enhance the weathering resistance of the limestone heritages, MIL-53@FS, a hydrophobic metal-organic framework (MOF) composite, was prepared through fluorosilane modification of MIL-53-OH synthesized via a solvothermal method. Characterization analyses were conducted using SEM, XRD, TGA, and FTIR techniques. The results indicated that MIL-53@FS maintained its well-ordered framework structure and certain porosity, while forming a continuous and uniform hydrophobic coating, leading to a significant increase of water contact angle to 127.14° and enhanced thermal stability. It exhibited excellent corrosion resistance, anti-icing performance, and color compatibility in the application tests, holding a promising outlook for protecting limestone-based heritages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108705"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175063","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 : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108695
Erman Bilisik , Mahmut Korkmaz , Kadir Bilisik
Para-aramid fabrics are widely used in high-performance protective systems, where interfacial mechanics and frictional behavior critically influence energy absorption and structural reliability. Surface modification techniques are therefore of increasing research interest, particularly for tailoring fiber–fiber and fiber–matrix interactions. In this context, the present study examines the effects of argon radio-frequency (RF) plasma activation on the interfacial mechanics of para-aramid fabrics. Spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman), crystallographic (XRD), and thermal (TGA/DTA) analyses confirm that plasma exposure induces ion-bombardment-driven micro-roughening and partial finish removal while preserving the intrinsic chemical structure of the fibers. Compared with untreated fabrics (KPO), both plasma-activated (PPO) and chemically cleaned samples (RPO) exhibited altered pull-out behavior. Although the initial resistance during crimp extension stage remained comparable, multi-yarn pull-out energy in PPO decreased by 29 %, driven by earlier onset of intra-bundle shear and reduced inter-fiber cohesion. Tensile strength loss following plasma activation further promoted premature fibril separation, weakening interlacement pressure and lowering fracture toughness. Static friction coefficients in PPO were consistently 5 % lower than RPO and KPO under both dry and wet conditions, reflecting suppressed fibrillation, reduced adhesive contact, and diminished micro-interlocking. The work uniquely integrates multi-yarn pull-out mechanics, frictional behavior, and fracture toughness to reveal previously unreported deformation mechanisms induced by RF-argon plasma in soft para-aramid fabrics. Overall, while argon RF plasma activation provides a controlled and solvent-free route for tailoring surface topology, it also introduces trade-offs in pull-out resistance, frictional response, and fracture toughness due to reduced packing density and weakened interfacial constraint.
{"title":"Effects of radio frequency (RF) plasma activation on the pull-out, friction, and fracture toughness performance of para-aramid fabrics","authors":"Erman Bilisik , Mahmut Korkmaz , Kadir Bilisik","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Para-aramid fabrics are widely used in high-performance protective systems, where interfacial mechanics and frictional behavior critically influence energy absorption and structural reliability. Surface modification techniques are therefore of increasing research interest, particularly for tailoring fiber–fiber and fiber–matrix interactions. In this context, the present study examines the effects of argon radio-frequency (RF) plasma activation on the interfacial mechanics of para-aramid fabrics. Spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman), crystallographic (XRD), and thermal (TGA/DTA) analyses confirm that plasma exposure induces ion-bombardment-driven micro-roughening and partial finish removal while preserving the intrinsic chemical structure of the fibers. Compared with untreated fabrics (KPO), both plasma-activated (PPO) and chemically cleaned samples (RPO) exhibited altered pull-out behavior. Although the initial resistance during crimp extension stage remained comparable, multi-yarn pull-out energy in PPO decreased by 29 %, driven by earlier onset of intra-bundle shear and reduced inter-fiber cohesion. Tensile strength loss following plasma activation further promoted premature fibril separation, weakening interlacement pressure and lowering fracture toughness. Static friction coefficients in PPO were consistently 5 % lower than RPO and KPO under both dry and wet conditions, reflecting suppressed fibrillation, reduced adhesive contact, and diminished micro-interlocking. The work uniquely integrates multi-yarn pull-out mechanics, frictional behavior, and fracture toughness to reveal previously unreported deformation mechanisms induced by RF-argon plasma in soft para-aramid fabrics. Overall, while argon RF plasma activation provides a controlled and solvent-free route for tailoring surface topology, it also introduces trade-offs in pull-out resistance, frictional response, and fracture toughness due to reduced packing density and weakened interfacial constraint.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108695"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175059","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 : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108706
Yijie Jin, Shengpeng Zhan, Ao Chen, Tian Yang, Yang Yu, Jingqi Huang, Dan Jia, Haitao Duan
This research introduces an innovative waterborne intumescent epoxy coating (P-S-IEC) reinforced by in-situ polymerized polyaniline-silicon carbide (PANI-SiC) hybrids, which simultaneously achieves the dual functions of flame retardancy and corrosion protection. The PANI-SiC hybrids are chemically grafted, synergistically combining the thermal insulation properties of SiC nanosheets with the passivation and char-forming abilities of PANI. Large-scale combustion tests show that the P-S-IEC coating maintains its structural integrity even after being exposed to a 1200 °C flame for 120 min, with an impressively low backside temperature of 289 °C. This performance significantly surpasses that of control coatings containing either PANI or SiC alone. Electrochemical analysis further reveals its outstanding corrosion resistance: after immersion in a 3.5 % NaCl solution for 20 days, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) remains as high as 7.43 × 10⁷ Ω·cm², and the corrosion current density is only 2.23 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm². The enhanced flame retardancy of the P-S-IEC coating can be attributed to the thermal insulation provided by SiC and the intumescent char expansion of PANI, which together form a stable three-dimensional carbon layer with reduced microporosity. Regarding corrosion protection, the coating benefits from the tortuous path effect of SiC, which hinders ion penetration, and the electrochemical passivation of the steel substrate induced by PANI. This study offers a scalable approach for developing multifunctional coatings that integrate passive shielding and active protection mechanisms. It effectively addresses key challenges in ensuring structural fire safety and long-term corrosion resistance for various industrial applications.
{"title":"Synergistic reinforcement of PANI-SiC hybrids: A dual - functional waterborne intumescent epoxy coating for flame retardancy and corrosion protection","authors":"Yijie Jin, Shengpeng Zhan, Ao Chen, Tian Yang, Yang Yu, Jingqi Huang, Dan Jia, Haitao Duan","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research introduces an innovative waterborne intumescent epoxy coating (P-S-IEC) reinforced by in-situ polymerized polyaniline-silicon carbide (PANI-SiC) hybrids, which simultaneously achieves the dual functions of flame retardancy and corrosion protection. The PANI-SiC hybrids are chemically grafted, synergistically combining the thermal insulation properties of SiC nanosheets with the passivation and char-forming abilities of PANI. Large-scale combustion tests show that the P-S-IEC coating maintains its structural integrity even after being exposed to a 1200 °C flame for 120 min, with an impressively low backside temperature of 289 °C. This performance significantly surpasses that of control coatings containing either PANI or SiC alone. Electrochemical analysis further reveals its outstanding corrosion resistance: after immersion in a 3.5 % NaCl solution for 20 days, the charge transfer resistance (<em>R</em><sub>ct</sub>) remains as high as 7.43 × 10⁷ Ω·cm², and the corrosion current density is only 2.23 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm². The enhanced flame retardancy of the P-S-IEC coating can be attributed to the thermal insulation provided by SiC and the intumescent char expansion of PANI, which together form a stable three-dimensional carbon layer with reduced microporosity. Regarding corrosion protection, the coating benefits from the tortuous path effect of SiC, which hinders ion penetration, and the electrochemical passivation of the steel substrate induced by PANI. This study offers a scalable approach for developing multifunctional coatings that integrate passive shielding and active protection mechanisms. It effectively addresses key challenges in ensuring structural fire safety and long-term corrosion resistance for various industrial applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108706"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175089","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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