Esmaeilzadeh P, Zandi A, Ghazanfari MH, Khezrnejad A, Fatemi M, Molaei Dehkordi A. Selective Fabrication of Robust and Multifunctional Super Nonwetting Surfaces by Diverse Modifications of Zirconia-Ceria Nanocomposites.
LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022;
38:9195-9209. [PMID:
35867863 DOI:
10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00909]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The creation of surfaces with various super nonwetting properties is an ongoing challenge. We report diverse modifications of novel synthesized zirconia-ceria nanocomposites by different low surface energy agents to fabricate nanofluids capable of regulating surface wettability of mineral substrates to achieve selective superhydrophobic, superoleophobic-superhydrophilic, and superamphiphobic conditions. Surfaces treated with these nanofluids offer self-cleaning properties and effortless rolling-off behavior with sliding angles ≤7° for several liquids with surface tensions between 26 and 72.1 mN/m. The superamphiphobic nanofluid coating imparts nonstick properties to a solid surface whereby liquid drops can be effortlessly displaced on the coating with a near-zero tilt and conveniently lifted off using a needle tip, leaving no trace. Further, the superamphiphobic surface demonstrates good oil repellency toward ultralow surface tension liquids such as n-hexane and n-heptane. The superoleophobic-superhydrophilic surface repels oil droplets well regardless of whether it is in the air or underwater conditions. In addition, reaping the benefits of the ZrO2-CeO2 nanocomposites' photocatalysis feature, the superoleophobic-superhydrophilic coating exhibits self-cleaning ability by the degradation of color dyes. Modification of the wettability of substrates is carried out by a cost-effective and facile solution-immersion approach, which creates surfaces with hierarchical nano-submicron-scaled structures. The multipurpose coated surfaces have outstanding durability and mechanical stability. They also resist well high-temperature-high-pressure conditions, which will provide various practical applications in different fields, including the condensate banking removal in gas reservoirs or the separation of oil/water mixtures.
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