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Surfaces, Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 6 articles

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18 pages, 3475 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microcalorimetry Techniques for Studying Interactions at Solid–Liquid Interface: A Review

by Heshu Hu, Jiazhong Wu and Minghui Zhang

Surfaces 2024, 7(2), 265-282; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020018 - 23 Apr 2024

Viewed by 327

Abstract

Solid–liquid interfacial phenomena play an essential role in our everyday lives and are often regarded as the outcome of interactions at the solid–liquid interface. However, the intricately intrinsic mechanism underlying interfacial interactions renders in situ simulations and direct measurements challenging. As an effective analytic method for studying solid–liquid interfacial interactions, microcalorimetry can provide the most basic thermodynamic information (including changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy during solid–liquid binding/separation processes), which is extremely crucial for understanding interaction directionality and limitation. This review is dedicated to highlighting the pivotal role of microcalorimetry in studying solid–liquid immersion and adsorption processes. Specifically, we provide an overview of the commonly employed microcalorimetric methods, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and immersion microcalorimetry (IM), and delve into the influence factors of enthalpy change, and finally discuss the specific applications of microcalorimetry in studying various solid–liquid binding processes. There remains a vast expanse of thermodynamic information regarding solid–liquid interactions that await exploration via calorimetry. Full article

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14 pages, 1950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface and Aggregation Properties of Rhamnolipids in Water–Bioethanol Mixtures: A Step toward Green Formulation Design

by Rodolfo Esposito, Francesco Taddeo, Vincenzo Russo, Irene Russo Krauss and Gerardino D’Errico

Surfaces 2024, 7(2), 251-264; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020017 - 07 Apr 2024

Viewed by 462

Abstract

Water–ethanol mixtures are largely exploited for many different applications, from industrial processes to pharmaceutical formulations. Surfactants are often added to tune their interfacial properties. Sustainability concerns require redesigning such blends to minimize their environmental impact. A successful approach is to replace synthetic oil-based components with affordable unpurified bio-derived alternatives. In this respect, we have characterized aqueous mixtures of bioethanol, obtained by the fermentation of algae, and rhamnolipids, biosurfactants of microbial origin. The physico-chemical characterization of water–bioethanol binary mixtures in terms of refractive index, density, viscosity, and surface tension indicates that bioethanol behaves like pure ethanol with negligible effects of impurities. Analysis of tensiometric titrations shows that, at bioethanol contents higher than 20–30% bioethanol mass percent, rhamnolipid aggregation is impaired, whereas surface adsorption at the water–air interface remains poorly affected. Overall, bio-derived components can be proposed as a promising alternative to oil-derived chemicals in eco-sustainable formulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Featured Articles for Surfaces)

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13 pages, 4350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Sound Absorption Properties of Recycled Polyester Nonwovens through Alkaline Treatment and Dimple Processing

by Gyeong Cheol Yu, Jeong Jin Park, Eun Hye Kang, Sun Young Lee, Youl Huh and Seung Goo Lee

Surfaces 2024, 7(2), 238-250; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020016 - 02 Apr 2024

Viewed by 456

Abstract

This study focused on manufacturing efficient automobile sound-absorbing materials through alkaline treatment and dimple processing of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) nonwoven fabric. The rPET nonwoven fabric was produced with a sound-absorbing material through compression molding. It was improved through the development of porous sound-absorbing materials through alkaline treatment and resonant sound-absorbing materials through dimple processing. As a result of morphological analysis, alkaline treatment showed that pore size and air permeability increased according to temperature and concentration increase conditions. On the other hand, dimple processing caused a decrease in air permeability and a decrease in pores due to yarn fusion, and as the dimple diameter increased, the sound-absorbing coefficient increased in the 5000 Hz band. Finally, it was judged that effective sound absorption performance would be improved through a simple process through alkaline treatment and dimple processing, and thus there would be applicability in various industrial fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Modification and Coating to Improve Properties of Various Materials)

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13 pages, 4212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Route towards Durable Underwater Stable Superhydrophobic Surfaces: PET-Reinforced Candle Soot Layers

by Xinghua Wu, Zhaokang Han, Yuchao Wang, Yutong Pan and Xiaohua Jie

Surfaces 2024, 7(2), 225-237; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020015 - 02 Apr 2024

Viewed by 468

Abstract

Superhydrophobic coating is widely used due to its waterproof and self-cleaning properties. Carbon soot (CS) nanoparticles are naturally superhydrophobic and non-toxic which are superior to other superhydrophobic coating. However, the weak binding force of the CS nanoparticle layers hinders their practical application. In this study, micro-nanostructured PET-CS superhydrophobic coatings were prepared by a simple method. The obtained coatings presented durable superhydrophobicity and underwater stability, which are superior to PDMS-CS coatings and CS layers. The coating surfaces demonstrated superhydrophobicity under a water pressure of 13.72 kPa for up to 16 days. The surface could withstand water flush for more than 15 min. The coatings also demonstrated good mechanical stability and maintained superhydrophobicity after an abrasion length of 8 m. The stable long-lasting underwater superhydrophobic surface is of great importance for marine applications. Full article

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17 pages, 6161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Adsorbent from Mechanochemical Reaction-Based Waste Seashell with Sodium Oxalate and Its Application in Pb Ion Adsorption

by Hideo Maruyama

Surfaces 2024, 7(2), 208-224; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020014 - 30 Mar 2024

Viewed by 903

Abstract

Waste seashell (scallop shell)-based adsorbent was prepared via mechanochemical reaction with sodium oxalate using ball milling. The oxalate-modified seashell-based adsorbents (OS) were prepared by varying the molar ratio of calcium and oxalate to 0.5, 1, and 2. Sodium oxalate was used as the aqueous solution in ball milling. Lead ion adsorption was conducted with the prepared adsorbent. The adsorption behavior of lead ions was investigated in terms of adsorption kinetics and adsorption equilibrium. The time course of the amount of Pb adsorbed agreed well with Langmuir rate equation. The adsorption equilibrium relationship of OS adsorbent and Pb agreed well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Increasing with the molar ratio, the saturated amount of Pb adsorbed increased slightly from 5.45 × 10⁻³ to 6.23 × 10⁻³ mol/g. Under the present experimental conditions, the maximum equilibrium adsorption was 5.93 × 10⁻³ mol/g, which is greater than that reported in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Featured Articles for Surfaces)

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12 pages, 6263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructure and Properties of Thin-Film Submicrostructures Obtained by Rapid Thermal Treatment of Nickel Films on Silicon

by Vasilina Lapitskaya, Ruslan Trukhan, Tatyana Kuznetsova, Jaroslav Solovjov, Sergei Chizhik, Vladimir Pilipenko, Karyna Liutsko, Anastasiya Nasevich and Maksim Douhal

Surfaces 2024, 7(2), 196-207; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020013 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 593

Abstract

Nickel films of 40 nm thickness were obtained by means of magnetron sputtering on a single-crystalline silicon substrate. The films were subjected to rapid thermal treatment (RTT) for 7 s until the temperature increased from 200 to 550 °C. By means of the X-ray diffraction method, the structural-phase composition of nickel films before and after RTT was explored. The atomic force microscopy method due to direct contact with the surface under study, made it possible to accurately define the microstructure, roughness, specific surface energy and grain size of the nickel films before and after RTT, as well as to establish the relationship of these parameters with the phase composition and electrical properties of the films. Surface specific resistance was measured using the four-probe method. Based on XRD results, formation of Ni₂Si and NiSi phases in the film was ascertained after RTT at 300 °C. At RTT 350–550 °C, only the NiSi phase was formed in the film. The microstructure and grain size significantly depend on the phase composition of the films. A correlation has been established between specific surface energy and resistivity with the average grain size after RTT at 350–550 °C, which is associated with the formation and constant restructuring of the crystal structure of the NiSi phase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Modification and Coating to Improve Properties of Various Materials)

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