Corrosion‐Mediated Self‐Assembly (CMSA): Direct Writing Towards Sculpturing of 3D Tunable Functional Nanostructures

Inhibition Effect of Three-Dimensional (3D) Nanostructures on the Corrosion Resistance of 1-Dodecanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayer on Copper in NaCl Solution

A novel and simple method to improve the corrosion resistance of copper by constructing a three-dimensional (3D) 1-dodecanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) in 3.5% NaCl solution is reported in this study. Several drops of 1% H₃PO₄ solution are thinly and uniformly distributed on copper surface to form a 3D nanostructure constituted by Cu₃(PO₄)₂ nanoflowers. The anticorrosion properties of 1-dodecanethiol SAM on copper surface and on copper surface that is treated with H₃PO₄ solution were evaluated. Results demonstrated that 1-dodecanethiol SAM on bare copper surface exhibits good protection capacity, whereas a copper surface that is pretreated with H₃PO₄ solution can substantially enhance the corrosion resistance of 1-dodecanethiol SAM.

Nature-Inspired Design of Artificial Solar-to-Fuel Conversion Systems based on Copper Phosphate Microflowers

Phosphates play significant roles in plant photosynthesis by mediating electron transportation and furnishing energy for CO2 reduction. Motivated by this, we demonstrate herein an artificial solar-to-fuel conversion system, involving versatile copper phosphate microflowers as template and titanium dioxide nanoparticles as host photocatalyst. The elaborate flowerlike architectures, coupled with a unique proton-reduction cycle from interchangeability of different species of orthophosphate ions, not only offer a 2D nanosheet platform for an optimal heterostructure interface but also effectively augment charge-carrier transfer, thereby contributing to enhanced photoactivity and hydrogen generation. These nature-inspired, phosphate-derived nanocomposites advance the synthesis of a large variety of functional materials, which holds great potential for photochemical, photoelectric and catalytic applications.