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Agarwal R, Mohamad A. Gallium-based liquid metals as smart responsive materials: Morphological forms and stimuli characterization. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 329:103183. [PMID: 38788305 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Gallium-based liquid metals (GaLMs) have garnered monumental attention from the scientific community due to their diverse actuation characteristics. These metals possess remarkable characteristics, including high surface tension, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, phase transformation behaviour, minimal viscosity and vapour pressure, lack of toxicity, and biocompatibility. In addition, GaLMs have melting points that are either lower or near room temperature, making them incredibly beneficial when compared to solid metals since they can be easily deformed. Thus, there has been significant progress in developing multifunctional devices using GaLMs, including bio-devices, flexible and self-healing circuits, and actuators. Despite numerous reports on these liquid metals (LMs), there is an urgent need for consolidated and coherent literature regarding their actuation principles linked to the targeted application. This will ensure that the reader gets the flavour of physics behind the actuation mechanism and how it can be utilized in diverse fields. Moreover, the actuation mechanism has been scattered in the literature, and thus, the primary motive of this review is to provide a one-stop solution for the actuation mechanism and the associated dynamics while directing the readers to specialized literature. Thus, addressing this issue, we thoroughly examine and present a detailed account of the actuation mechanisms of GaLMs while highlighting the science behind them. We also discuss the various morphologies of GaLMs and their crucial physical characteristics which decide their targeted application. Furthermore, we also delve into commonly held beliefs about GaLMs in the literature, such as their toxicity and antibacterial properties, to offer readers a more accurate understanding. Finally, we have explored several key unanswered aspects of the LM that should be explored in future research. The core strength of this review lies in its simplistic approach in offering a starting point for researchers venturing this innovative field, while we make use of existing literature to develop a comprehensive understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Agarwal
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Abdulmajeed Mohamad
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
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Bhagwat S, Hambitzer L, Prediger R, Zhu P, Hamza A, Kilian SK, Kluck S, Pezeshkpour P, Kotz-Helmer F, Rapp BE. Tungsten Oxide Coated Liquid Metal Electrodes via Galvanic Replacement as Heavy Metal Ion Sensors. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:416. [PMID: 38257509 PMCID: PMC10819474 DOI: 10.3390/s24020416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Gallium liquid metals (LMs) like Galinstan and eutectic Gallium-Indium (EGaIn) have seen increasing applications in heavy metal ion (HMI) sensing, because of their ability to amalgamate with HMIs like lead, their high hydrogen potential, and their stable electrochemical window. Furthermore, coating LM droplets with nanopowders of tungsten oxide (WO) has shown enhancement in HMI sensing owing to intense electrical fields at the nanopowder-liquid-metal interface. However, most LM HMI sensors are droplet based, which show limitations in scalability and the homogeneity of the surface. A scalable approach that can be extended to LM electrodes is therefore highly desirable. In this work, we present, for the first time, WO-Galinstan HMI sensors fabricated via photolithography of a negative cavity, Galinstan brushing inside the cavity, lift-off, and galvanic replacement (GR) in a tungsten salt solution. Successful GR of Galinstan was verified using optical microscopy, SEM, EDX, XPS, and surface roughness measurements of the Galinstan electrodes. The fabricated WO-Galinstan electrodes demonstrated enhanced sensitivity in comparison with electrodes structured from pure Galinstan and detected lead at concentrations down to 0.1 mmol·L-1. This work paves the way for a new class of HMI sensors using GR of WO-Galinstan electrodes, with applications in microfluidics and MEMS for a toxic-free environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Bhagwat
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Leonhard Hambitzer
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Richard Prediger
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Pang Zhu
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Ahmed Hamza
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Sophia K. Kilian
- Hahn-Schickard, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany;
| | - Sebastian Kluck
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Pegah Pezeshkpour
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Frederik Kotz-Helmer
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Bastian E. Rapp
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (S.B.); (L.H.); (R.P.); (P.Z.); (A.H.); (S.K.); (P.P.); (B.E.R.)
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- FIT Freiburg Center of Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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Wang Y, Chang H, Rao W. Surface Oxidation and Wetting Synergistic Effect of Liquid Metals. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:24003-24012. [PMID: 37150931 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Various functions of liquid metals are closely related to their surface performances, among which oxidation and wetting are the two most important surface processes. The two processes of liquid metals are inseparable in most practical applications; however, the coupling of oxidation and wetting of liquid metals has received little attention. Here, we demonstrate the synergistic effect of oxidation and wetting of liquid metals through establishing a liquid system containing the copper ion acid solution. By modulating the concentrations of copper ions and hydrogen ions, three different modes of the liquid metal surface are presented, where the oxidation process and the wetting process are in a competitive relationship. Whichever of the two processes is dominant can determine the stability of copper particles produced on the surface of liquid metals, that is, affect whether the "phagocytosis" process can occur. It is revealed that the magnitude of current density on the surface of liquid metals, caused by galvanic corrosion behavior between liquid metals and copper particles, is the key factor influencing the dominance of different surface processes of liquid metals. Utilizing the synergistic effect, we prepare a liquid metal film with adjustable reflectivity, in which surface states can be changed repeatedly between the bright state and the darken state by simple solution immersion. The liquid metal film with different surface states can show obvious difference in optical performance, which has application potential in color camouflage. Understanding the surface synergistic effect will facilitate further exploration of the abundant exotic liquid metal interface phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushu Wang
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Hao Chang
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wei Rao
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
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Wu H, Hazelnis JP, Maldonado S. Understanding and Expanding the Prospects for Electrosynthesis with Liquid Metal Electrodes. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:846-855. [PMID: 36921297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusThis Account describes and summarizes the latest work from our laboratory on developing and maturing strategies based on low-temperature liquid metals as reaction environments for materials synthesis. The electrochemical liquid-liquid-solid (ec-LLS) crystal growth concept is a hybrid method that combines electrodeposition and melt crystal growth. Using liquid metals as both electrodes and solvents for the purpose of producing inorganic crystals and materials, a simple and environmentally friendly process is possible. The impetus is to address the key deficiency in the inorganic crystalline materials that are the basis of modern optoelectronics and renewable energy capture/conversion systems. Specifically, existing methods for synthesizing crystalline inorganic materials for these purposes are largely energy- and resource-intensive, with a substantial impact on the environment when scaled. A long-term goal of our work with ec-LLS is to realize a materials synthetic process that is matured without requiring intensive resources or negatively impacting the environment. To this end, the factors that both limit and govern ec-LLS processes must be identified and understood. To date, questions regarding the factors that affect crystal nucleation and growth, form factors, and overall composition remain.Previous work established concretely ec-LLS as a versatile method for synthesizing and producing crystalline semiconductors at low temperatures as either particles, nanowires, or microwires. Subsequent experiments have focused on two tiers. First, the microscopic details of the liquid metal and its interfaces that dictate materials synthesis and crystal growth must be identified. Second, strategies that widen the attainable material form factors to facilitate device architectures must be realized. Hence, this Account describes results aimed at answering three questions: (1) What are the consequences of reaching supersaturation by an electrochemical rather than a thermal driving force for crystal growth in ec-LLS? (2) Can the location of nucleation and subsequent crystal growth be controlled? (3) Does the atomic structure of the liquid metal affect product formation in ec-LLS? The science described herein illustrates the value of in situ methods spanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray reflectance for revealing the role that liquid metal composition and structure can play in ec-LLS. Additionally, we summarize work that shows for the first time that it is possible to produce both single-crystalline epitaxial films and complex intermetallic compounds through ec-LLS by tuning the cell design, electrochemical excitation waveform, and composition of the liquid metal electrodes.The cumulative findings described here substantially enrich our understanding of the ec-LLS concept while simultaneously motivating further questions moving forward. Is it possible to attain complete control over the crystalline quality and composition of ec-LLS products? Can the materials produced by ec-LLS provide tailored functional properties for targeted applications? Can the ec-LLS strategy be further refined to allow material synthesis and deposition at precise locations with deterministically chosen form factors? What synthetic pathways are accessible when even more sophisticated electrochemical waveforms and cell designs are used? Our hope is that this Account will spur additional researchers to help answer such questions.
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Xu D, Cao J, Liu F, Zou S, Lei W, Wu Y, Liu Y, Shang J, Li RW. Liquid Metal Based Nano-Composites for Printable Stretchable Electronics. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:2516. [PMID: 35408131 PMCID: PMC9002646 DOI: 10.3390/s22072516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metal (LM) has attracted prominent attention for stretchable and elastic electronics applications due to its exceptional fluidity and conductivity at room temperature. Despite progress in this field, a great disparity remains between material fabrication and practical applications on account of the high surface tension and unavoidable oxidation of LM. Here, the composition and nanolization of liquid metal can be envisioned as effective solutions to the processibility-performance dilemma caused by high surface tension. This review aims to summarize the strategies for the fabrication, processing, and application of LM-based nano-composites. The intrinsic mechanism and superiority of the composition method will further extend the capabilities of printable ink. Recent applications of LM-based nano-composites in printing are also provided to guide the large-scale production of stretchable electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinwei Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- New Materials Institute, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo, Ningbo 315100, China
| | - Fei Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Shengbo Zou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Wenjuan Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Yuanzhao Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Shang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Run-Wei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China; (D.X.); (J.C.); (F.L.); (S.Z.); (W.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Wang S, Mao Q, Ren H, Wang W, Wang Z, Xu Y, Li X, Wang L, Wang H. Liquid Metal Interfacial Growth and Exfoliation to Form Mesoporous Metallic Nanosheets for Alkaline Methanol Electroreforming. ACS NANO 2022; 16:2978-2987. [PMID: 35061352 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) materials have spurred great interest in the field of catalysis due to their fascinating electronic and thermal transport properties. However, adding uniform mesopores to 2D metallic materials has remained a great challenge owing to the inherent high surface energy. Here, we introduce a generic liquid metal interfacial growth and exfoliation strategy to synthesize a library of penetrating mesoporous metallic nanosheets. The formation of liquid-metal/water interface promotes the adsorption of metal ion-encapsulated copolymer micelles, induces the self-limiting galvanic replacement reaction, and enables the exfoliation of products under mechanical agitation. These 2D mesoporous metallic nanosheets with large lateral size, narrow thickness distribution, and uniform perforated structure provide facilitated channels and abundant active sites for catalysis. Typically, the generated mesoporous PtRh nanosheets (mPtRh NSs) exhibit superior electroactivity and durability in hydrogen evolution reaction as well as methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media. Moreover, the constructed symmetric mPtRh NSs cell requires only a relative low electrolysis voltage to achieve methanol-assisted hydrogen production compared with traditional overall water electrolysis. The work reveals a specific growth pattern of noble metals at the liquid-metal/water interface and thus introduces a versatile strategy to form 2D penetrating mesoporous metallic nanomaterials with extensive high-performance applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Qiqi Mao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Hang Ren
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Wenxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Ziqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - You Xu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Xiaonian Li
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Hongjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
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Ren L, Cheng N, Man X, Qi D, Liu Y, Xu G, Cui D, Liu N, Zhong J, Peleckis G, Xu X, Dou SX, Du Y. General Programmable Growth of Hybrid Core-Shell Nanostructures with Liquid Metal Nanodroplets. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2008024. [PMID: 33522010 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202008024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Core-shell and hollow nanostructures have been receiving significant interest due to their potential in wide scientific and technological fields. Given such large scope, however, they still lag far behind in terms of the ambition toward controllably, or even programmatically, synthesizing libraries of core-shell structures on a large scale. Here, a general route for the programmable preparation of complex core-shell nanostructures by using liquid metal (LM) droplets as reformable templates is presented, and the triggering of a localized galvanic replacement reaction in one ultrasonication system is demonstrated. Benefiting from the activity and mobility of the metal components in LM templates, high-level compositional diversity control and quantitative regulation of both the core and the shell layers of the heterogeneous products are achieved, which cannot be realized with a solid-template synthetic route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Ren
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
- BUAA-UOW Joint Research Centre, and School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100091, China
- International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Ningyan Cheng
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
| | - Xingkun Man
- BUAA-UOW Joint Research Centre, and School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Dongchen Qi
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Yundan Liu
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic, Xiangtan University, Hunan, 411105, China
| | - Guobao Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Hunan, 411105, China
| | - Dandan Cui
- BUAA-UOW Joint Research Centre, and School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Nana Liu
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
| | - Jianxin Zhong
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic, Xiangtan University, Hunan, 411105, China
| | - Germanas Peleckis
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
| | - Xun Xu
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
| | - Shi Xue Dou
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
- BUAA-UOW Joint Research Centre, and School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Yi Du
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
- BUAA-UOW Joint Research Centre, and School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100091, China
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Liu Y, Zhang W, Wang H. Synthesis and application of core-shell liquid metal particles: a perspective of surface engineering. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2021; 8:56-77. [PMID: 34821290 DOI: 10.1039/d0mh01117g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metal micro/nano particles (LMPs) from gallium and its alloys have attracted tremendous attention in the last decade due to the unique combination of their metallic and fluidic properties at relatively low temperatures. Unfortunately, there is limited success so far in realizing the highly controllable fabrication and functionalization of this emerging material, posing great obstacles to further promoting its fundamental and applied studies. This review aims to explore solutions for the on-demand design and manipulation of LMPs through physicochemically engineering their surface microenvironment, including compositions, structures, and properties, which are featured by the encapsulation of LMPs inside a variety of synthetic shell architectures. These heterophase, core-shell liquid metal composites display adjustable size and structure-property relationships, rendering improved performances in several attractive scenarios including but not limited to soft electronics, nano/biomedicine, catalysis, and energy storage/conversion. Challenges and opportunities regarding this burgeoning field are also disclosed at the end of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for NanoScience and Technology, No. 11 Zhongguancun Beiyitiao, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
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Zhu L, Wang B, Handschuh-Wang S, Zhou X. Liquid Metal-Based Soft Microfluidics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1903841. [PMID: 31573755 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by the increasing demand of wearable and soft electronics, liquid metal (LM)-based microfluidics has been subjected to tremendous development in the past decade, especially in electronics, robotics, and related fields, due to the unique advantages of LMs that combines the conductivity and deformability all-in-one. LMs can be integrated as the core component into microfluidic systems in the form of either droplets/marbles or composites embedded by polymer materials with isotropic and anisotropic distribution. The LM microfluidic systems are found to have broad applications in deformable antennas, soft diodes, biomedical sensing chips, transient circuits, mechanically adaptive materials, etc. Herein, the recent progress in the development of LM-based microfluidics and their potential applications are summarized. The current challenges toward industrial applications and future research orientation of this field are also summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifei Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Guangdong Laboratory of ArtificialIntelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Ben Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Stephan Handschuh-Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xuechang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Guangdong Laboratory of ArtificialIntelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
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10
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David R, Miki N. Synthesis of sub-micrometer biphasic Au-AuGa 2/liquid metal frameworks. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:21419-21432. [PMID: 31681918 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr05551g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A novel biphasic sub-micrometer Au-AuGa2/liquid metal framework, consisting of solid nanoparticles encapsulating liquid metal (LM) droplets, is introduced. By utilizing oxide-free galvanic replacement of a Ga-alloy LM with alkaline KAuBr4, the controllable process of gold-based encapsulation of individual sub-micrometer LM droplets capped with polyvinylpyrrolidone, lysozyme or sodium alginate is demonstrated. The morphology, structure and composition of the encapsulated droplets are characterized in-depth via scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. For the first time, the existence of two kinetic regimes leading to the controllable synthesis of either intermetallic AuGa2 or Au nanoparticles to encapsulate LM droplets is highlighted via the study of the evolution of the pH of the reaction medium. The as-formed biphasic sub-micrometer Au-LM frameworks demonstrate moderate stability in an aqueous environment and formidable structural and chemical stability in ambient air at room temperature. The encapsulation process can be adapted to the micro-patterning of LM droplet surfaces to produce conductive Au-encapsulated LM droplets then sintered to recover LM lines, while the sub-micrometer Au-LM droplets can be reintegrated onto larger LM surfaces and volumes to create multi-metallic and multi-scale biphasic structures with controllable electrical properties. The adaptability of the encapsulation process to the macro-, micro- and nanoscale of liquid metal features with a wide range of surfactants could in principle allow its use in various systems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain David
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan.
| | - Norihisa Miki
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan. and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan
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11
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Guo J, Cheng J, Tan H, Zhu S, Qiao Z, Yang J, Liu W. Al-Doped Ga-Based Liquid Metal: Modification Strategy and Controllable High-Temperature Lubricity through Frictional Interface Regulation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:6905-6915. [PMID: 31055924 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ga-based liquid metal (GLM) may be a potential heat-transfer material in many industries such as electronic devices and nuclear reactors, and thus, improving its lubricity is conducive to solving the friction and corrosion problems of the motion pairs served in the GLM medium. This paper proposes a modification strategy based on the conventional and large-scale mechanical milling to prepare Al-doped GLM successfully and regulates the GLM lubricity through controlling the frictional interface properties. It is found that at room temperature (∼20 °C), the Al element in the Al-doped GLM medium has a stronger adsorption capacity on the T91 surface, so the Al-rich film is formed on the frictional interfaces and reduces the wear of the T91 disk effectively compared to that in the GLM medium. However, the doping of Al is detrimental to the wear resistance of the T91 steel significantly at 400 °C by inhibiting the formation of the protective FeGa3 film on the frictional interfaces, which readily appears at T91 frictional interfaces in the GLM medium. At 600 °C, Al atoms participate in the formation of a multilayer intermetallic film, thus improving the wear resistance again. This paper provides a new idea for preparing the metal-doped GLM and improving the lubricity of GLM, and it drives forward our understanding of the lubrication mechanisms of liquid lubricants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Jun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Hui Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Shengyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Zhuhui Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Weimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou 730000 , China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering , Northwestern Polytechnical University , Xian 710072 , China
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