http://nathan.instras.com/ResearchProposalDB/doc-109.pdf

A review on polymer nanofibers by electrospinning and their applications in nanocomposites

Aggregation-induced emission: phenomenon, mechanism and applications.

Water striders (Gerris remigis) have remarkable non-wetting legs that enable them to stand effortlessly and move quickly on water, a feature believed to be due to a surface-tension effect caused by secreted wax. We show here, however, that it is the special hierarchical structure of the legs, which are covered by large numbers of oriented tiny hairs (microsetae) with fine nanogrooves, that is more important in inducing this water resistance.

/pdf/biophysics-water-repellent-legs-of-water-striders-3a4p860uri.pdf

Biophysics: Water-repellent legs of water striders

Nanomaterials (NMs) have gained prominence in technological advancements due to their tunable physical, chemical and biological properties with enhanced performance over their bulk counterparts. NMs are categorized depending on their size, composition, shape, and origin. The ability to predict the unique properties of NMs increases the value of each classification. Due to increased growth of production of NMs and their industrial applications, issues relating to toxicity are inevitable. The aim of this review is to compare synthetic (engineered) and naturally occurring nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructured materials (NSMs) to identify their nanoscale properties and to define the specific knowledge gaps related to the risk assessment of NPs and NSMs in the environment. The review presents an overview of the history and classifications of NMs and gives an overview of the various sources of NPs and NSMs, from natural to synthetic, and their toxic effects towards mammalian cells and tissue. Additionally, the types of toxic reactions associated with NPs and NSMs and the regulations implemented by different countries to reduce the associated risks are also discussed.

/pdf/review-on-nanoparticles-and-nanostructured-materials-history-ukc67h8z6q.pdf

Review on nanoparticles and nanostructured materials: history, sources, toxicity and regulations.

Biomimetic research indicates that many phenomena regarding wettability in nature, such as the self-cleaning effect on a lotus leaf and cicada wing, the anisotropic dewetting behavior on a rice leaf, and striking superhydrophobic force provided by a water strider's leg, are all related to the unique micro- and nanostructures on the surfaces. It gives us much inspiration to realize special wettability on functional surfaces through the cooperation between the chemical composition and the surface micro- and nanostructures, which may bring great advantages in a wide variety of applications in daily life, industry, and agriculture. This Account reviews recent progress in these aspects.

/pdf/bioinspired-surfaces-with-special-wettability-epailt8nha.pdf

Bioinspired surfaces with special wettability

Super-hydrophobic surfaces, with a water contact angle (CA) greater than 150degreesC, have attracted much interest for both fundamental research and practical applications. Recent studies on lotus and rice leaves reveal that a super-hydrophobic surface with both a large CA and small sliding angle (alpha) needs the cooperation of micro- and nanostructure, and the arrangement of the microstructures on this surface can influence the way a water droplet tends to move. These results form the natural world provide a guide for constructing artificial super-hydrophobic surfaces and designing surfaces with controllable wettability. Accordingly, super-hydrophobic surfaces of polymer nanofibers and differently patterned aligned carbon nanotube (ACNT) films have been fabricated.

Super-hydrophobic surfaces: From natural to artificial

Super-Hydrophobic Surface of Aligned Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers

Super‐Hydrophobic Surfaces: From Natural to Artificial

Honeycomb-like aligned carbon nanotube films were grown by pyrolysis of iron phthalocyanine. The patterned structure was characterized by a scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and an atomic force micrograph (AFM). Wettability studies revealed the film surface showed a super-hydrophobic property with much higher contact angle (163.4 ± 1.4°) and lower sliding angle (less than 5°)a water droplet moved easily on the surface. In contrast to a densely packed aligned carbon nanotube, the sliding feature was strongly affected by microstructure of surface.

Shuhong Li

Papers

Super-hydrophobic surfaces: From natural to artificial

Super-Hydrophobic Surface of Aligned Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers

Super‐Hydrophobic Surfaces: From Natural to Artificial

Super-Hydrophobicity of Large-Area Honeycomb-Like Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

Self-assembly of large-scale micropatterns on aligned carbon nanotube films.