Search

Preventing fluid penetration poses a challenging reliability concern in the context of power electronics, which is usually caused by unforeseen microfractures along the sealing joints. A better and more reliable product design heavily depends on the understanding of the dynamic wetting processes happening inside these complex microfractures, i.e. microchannels. A novel automated image processing procedure is proposed in this work for analyzing the moving interface and the dynamic contact angle in microchannels. In particular, the developed method is advantageous for experiments involving non-transparent samples, where extracting the fluid interface geometry poses a significant challenge. The developed method is validated with theoretical values and manual measurements and exhibits high accuracy. The implementation is made publicly available. The developed method is validated and applied to experimental investigations of forced wetting with two working fluids (water and 50 wt% glycerin/water mixture) in four distinct microchannels characterized by different dimensions and curvature. The comparison between the experimental results and molecular kinetic theory (MKT) reveals that the dynamic wetting behavior can be described well by MKT, even in highly curved microchannels. The dynamic wetting behavior shows a strong dependency on the channel geometry and curvature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the impact of viscosity ratio and surface wettability on immiscible viscous fingering instability within a rectangular channel. Numerical investigations are conducted across a range of viscosity ratios (VR) from 0.0009 to 0.5 and wall wettability (θ) from 15° to 150°. The volume of fluid (VOF) model is employed to track the development of finger-shaped instability at the fluid interface. Our results indicate that higher viscosity ratios lead to increased displacement efficiency. Additionally, we find the formation of necking at low VR, which diminishes at higher VR values. The finger-shaped pattern splits into two parts at a wettability of 15°; beyond this threshold, no such splitting occurs. Furthermore, a transition from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic wettability abolishes necking, resulting in enhanced displacement efficiency. Notably, as wettability shifts from hydrophilic to super hydrophobic, instability shifts toward the left side. These findings hold relevance for applications in drug delivery, clinical processes and oil recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new analytical model to predict the evaporation of arrays of identical sessile drops was developed and tested. This model extends the use of analytical solutions for single drops to drop arrays of virtually any structure. A comparison with the results obtained by accurate numerical solutions of the same problem showed the reliability of the method. The accuracy of the model was tested through validation with the results obtained from four different experimental investigations on arrays of evaporating sessile drops. More than 1000 different drop arrays with numerosity between four to 49 drops on seven different hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates (contact angles ranging from 30° to 150°) with different compactness (drop average interdistances) were analyzed to develop relatively simple correlations to predict the minimum, maximum, and average screening coefficient of the drops in the array. It was shown that the structure of the array must be taken into account to obtain reliable results, and a method based on the use of the cross-correlation matrix of the drop coordinates was proposed and tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A liquid deposited on a solid surface exhibits various wetting properties, primarily influenced by solid–liquid intermolecular interactions. Achieving a well-estimation of wetting behaviors on textured surfaces remains challenging because the influence of surface textures on intermolecular interactions is unclear. Here, an equivalent surface model is proposed to unify the wettability of both plane and textured substrates through intermolecular interactions. We show that by incorporating intermolecular interactions, lattice structures, and surface topographies, the substrate wettability can be tailored in an equivalent plane with the same average Lennard–Jones potential energy field E. The wettability of one substrate (plane or patterned) is transferred from non-wetting, partial wetting to complete wetting by adjusting the potential well depth of E, εa. With enhancing εa, complete wetting is achieved under the critical potential well depth of E, εac. Before εac, the spreading radius grows as R ∼ t1/1.47 until reaches equilibrium. In this scenario, the equilibrium contact angle θ and spreading factor β are strongly dependent on εa, and cos θ is linear to εa. When exceeding εac, complete wetting is achieved, and droplets spread with a precursor film as R ∼ t1/2.3 latterly. This model builds a bridge to link intermolecular interactions and substrate wettability normalization. This strategy offers a framework for substrate surface design and wettability manipulation, catering to applications such as photoresist-drop dispensing in nanoimprint lithography, surface design for grating antifouling, and anti-icing on aircraft surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under microconfinement, the complex interaction between surface roughness and fluid slippage yields unexpected variations in friction factor and drag reduction. These variations arise from the combined effects of roughness and hydrophobic interactions of the surface with the hydrodynamic field. Our study investigates alterations in frictional characteristics within long microchannels, considering fluid slippage, hydraulic diameter, and roughness. This exploration holds promise for precise drag reduction control applications for lab-on-a-chip and small-scale devices. To address computational limitations in analyzing diverse hydrodynamic conditions, we employ an artificial neural network prediction model, validated with experimental and numerical results. Contrary to the macroscopic conclusions obtained from the Moody chart, our findings indicate that fluid slippage, apart from surface roughness, significantly influences the friction factor. The interdependencies of friction factor on the flow and fluid parameters are thoroughly studied toward the proposition of a new slip-modified constricted flow friction factor formula, predicting friction in microchannels with combined roughness and hydrophobicity effects. This combined numerical and machine-learning approach presents a noteworthy counterpart to the moody chart at microscales offering the potential for a unified continuum-based description to include interfacial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising technology for desalination of different water streams. However, treating wastewater with complex compositions remains a challenge. In this study, we adopted the MD process to treat complex and harmful methylene blue (MB) dye-containing textile wastewater. The effect of relevant operating parameters on the MD process performance was investigated. Additionally, the membrane wettability during the MD process was evaluated. The results showed that increasing the temperature difference and feed flow velocity led to an increase in permeate flux (Jp) and a decrease in specific energy consumption (SEC). The Jp and SEC models exhibited good agreement between predicted and experimental values, with an R2 of 98.50% and 86.18%, respectively. During the 22 h of operation, the MD process applied for the treatment of dye wastewater demonstrated a decline of Jp by 71.8% and a slight decrease in dye rejection to attain 95.9%. The decline of the surface contact angle and the liquid entry pressure values and an increase in the permeate water conductivity detected the membrane wettability. The obtained results suggest that the MD process could present an efficient solution for the treatment of MB-dye wastewater. However, upscaling the MD technology requires further improvements on real wastewater treatment for a longer run time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, alumina foam ceramics (AFC) were prepared by foaming method, and AFC/salt composite phase change materials were prepared by melt infiltration method using AFC as skeleton materials. The results showed that AFC had good chemical compatibility with Na 2 SO 4 and NaCl. The salt contents of AFC/Na 2 SO 4 and AFC/NaCl were 37.8 wt% and 31.7 wt%, respectively, with compressive strength of 100.1 MPa and 72.8 MPa, thermal conductivity of 5.53 W/m·K and 6.40 W/m·K, and energy density of 1129 J/g and 1019 J/g, respectively. Due to the better wettability, AFC and Na 2 SO 4 form a chimeric structure, which has better binding and bonding strength, and is not prone to molten salt leakage. AFC/ Na 2 SO 4 is expected to be applied to industrial waste heat recovery and solar thermal power generation with periodic temperature changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wetting behavior of the Sn-Zr/ZrO 2 system was investigated by different drop methods, and the influencing of temperature and Zr content on the wetting interfacial microstructure were analyzed using SEM, XRD, and TEM. The typical wetting interfacial microstructure is: β-Sn+ZrSn 2 /m-ZrO 2 + β-Sn/t-ZrO 2. Temperature and Zr content both influence the interfacial reaction, thereby influencing the wetting of the Sn-Zr alloy on the ZrO 2 surface; however, the impact results are different. The wettability of the Sn-Zr/ZrO 2 system mainly depends on the continuity of the m-ZrO 2 layer and is unaffected by its thickness. When the m-ZrO 2 layer is continuous, the effect of the quantity of ZrSn 2 phases on the wettability begins to be noticed. The diffusion and reaction control model was used to analyze the wetting behavior of Sn-Zr alloy on ZrO 2 surfaces, thus determining that the Sn-Zr/ZrO 2 system is a typical reactive wetting system, with a calculated spreading activation energy of approximately 116.77 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetting of Al 2 O 3 by molten Cu-xTi alloys with wide composition range was deeply studied. The results show that the precipitation of TiO at the interface is depended on the Ti concentration in the alloys as well as the oxygen partial pressure in the atmosphere. When Ti concentration is lower than the critical Ti concentration, the wettability of the system is mainly determined by the precipitated TiO and the adsorption of Ti-O clusters at the interface; conversely, it is mainly determined by the adsorption of Ti-O clusters on the surface of alumina. For the spreading dynamics of: Cu-Ti alloys on the sapphire surface, the existence of two stages were observed: firstly, an initial fast spreading stage, which is mainly limited by the reaction rate of TiO precipitation; followed by a later slow spreading stage, which is mainly limited by the precipitation reaction of Al 2 O, and exhibits a stepwise spreading characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, effect of changing deposition rate on the structural properties, chemical bonds and wettability of the silicon carbon oxynitride thin films applied by radio frequency magnetron sputtering method on the silicon substrate was evaluated. GIXRD and Raman spectroscopy were performed in order to study the structure of the thin films and the formation of nanocrystals in the structure, respectively. The type of chemical bonds on the surface of the thin films were determined by ATR-FTIR Analysis. XPS was used to investigate the type of elements and the ratio of bonds formed in the structure of SiCON thin film. FESEM test was used to determine the surface morphology of the thin films. The ellipsometry test was conducted with the aim of checking the optical parameters of the thin films. Also, FTIR was used to determine the reflectivity of the samples in the infrared region. The roughness of the thin films was determined by an AFM test. The surface wettability of the thin films was evaluated by measuring the contact angle of the water droplet. The results of the GIXRD and Raman spectroscopy proved that thin films are nanocomposite with amorphous matrix and SiC reinforcement nanocrystalline particles. The ATR-FTIR determined the presence of hydrogen in the structure. FESEM test showed the formation of dense thin layer without any cracks. The results of the ellipsometry test proved that refractive index of the thin films changed with the change in the deposition rate in the range of 1.45–1.49. Also, AFM results showed that SiCON thin films are formed with very low surface roughness in the RMS range of 0.80–1.64 nm. Also, water contact angle measurement test determined that the thin films are hydrophilic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental studies were conducted on the evaporation rate of a droplet located on the surfaces of various composite and textured materials with different wettability at varying surface temperatures. The maximum droplet evaporation rate was recorded on a textured Cu–SiC composite material with superhydrophilic properties. The minimum droplet evaporation rate corresponded to a superhydrophobic AlMg3 substrate obtained using laser texturing with subsequent hydrophobization procedure. An increase in surface temperature led to a significant deterioration of hydrophobicity for a superhydrophobic substrate and a deterioration of hydrophilicity for a superhydrophilic substrate. As a result, with increasing temperature, the influence of the droplet geometry determined by surface wettability on the droplet evaporation rate for these substrates sharply decreases. Advancing and receding dynamic contact angles, as well as contact angle hysteresis were obtained on all studied substrates. It is generally accepted that a hydrophobic surface exhibits less contact angle hysteresis than a hydrophilic one. However, Cu-SiС composite substrate with a textured hydrophobic surface exhibited the opposite behavior. The contact angle hysteresis on the hydrophobic textured surface was found to be four times higher than that on the hydrophilic polished one. A mechanism was proposed that explains the high contact angle hysteresis and four hysteresis time modes. The minimum hysteresis value corresponded to the superhydrophobic AlMg3 substrate. Anti-corrosion properties were studied for all substrates under consideration. The minimum corrosion current corresponded to a copper substrate with a graphene coating, as well as a superhydrophobic AlMg3 substrate. For a given substrate, there are two corrosion modes with a three-fold difference in the corrosion current. In addition, the wettability behavior of different surfaces was examined using molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation results were found to be consistent with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resource utilization of fly ash has always been a popular topic in the field of solid waste recycling. This paper is based on the three-phase reaction system of "fly ash (s)-[Ca(OH)2–H2O/ethanol] (l)-CO2 (g)", using the bubble carbonization method to carry out heterogeneous phase reaction with fly ash as the core crystallized to form a fly ash-based calcium carbonate composite with higher brightness. The composite material is used in the filling of paper instead of calcium carbonate filler. Based on the previous research of our team, we focused on exploring the addition of miscible wettability additives (ethanol and acetone) to improve the wettability of the reaction system, thereby improving the whitening and modification effect of fly ash. The results showed that the addition of ethanol and acetone can significantly improve the coating effect of fly ash, however, acetone is slightly toxic, more volatile, and expensive than ethanol, so ethanol is more suitable as a wetting agent to be added to the reaction system. Under the optimal coating conditions, when the ratio of ethanol and water is 1:1, the brightness of fly ash can reach 71.62 % ISO, which is 17.29 % ISO higher than that without ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose schemes for binary adder, subtractor and parity checker using optical logic gates. These schemes could be useful for calculations using optical systems. Utilizing optical logic gates, we can achieve functions of binary adder, subtractor and parity checker of high-speed optical signals. Due to two-photon absorption in the wetting layer, quantum dot-semiconductor optical amplifier Mach-Zehnder interferometer (QD-SOA-MZI) can work as high data rate optical logic gates. The simulated result supports the idea that it is possible to realize all-optical binary adder, subtractor and parity checker at high optical signal rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure the formation of high-quality solder joints, it is imperative to engage in surface preparation of the materials being joined, activate both the materials and solder, eliminate oxide films in the contact zone, facilitate interaction at the interfacial boundary, and induce crystallization of the liquid metal layer. This chapter delves into the processes involved in removing surface oxide films from solderable surfaces and discusses the pertinent equipment employed. Additionally, it highlights the potential efficacy of ultrasonic methods in oxide film removal through the introduction of elastic mechanical vibrations into the molten solder. Mathematical expressions are derived to elucidate the dynamics at the solder-surface interface, during the capillary penetration of solder into gaps and the diffusion process. The formation of a soldered joint with a specific structure results from the physicochemical interaction between the solder and the base metal. This joint typically encompasses a melting zone and diffusion zone at the solder and the base metal interface. The ultimate structure and composition of the solder joint depend on the nature of the interacting metals, their chemical affinity, and the soldering conditions, including time and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perpetual significance of the pharmaceutical industry in society necessitates ongoing research efforts to enhance the efficacy of its manufacturing processes. Given that drug product manufacturing typically involves powder processing, a thorough understanding of powder characterization is needed for optimal process performance. Powder rheology is commonly examined in pharmaceutical manufacturing to elucidate the relationship between powder properties and the performance of pharmaceutical processes. This paper provides a brief discussion of recent literature regarding the various powder properties and characterization techniques encompassed in powder rheology. The powder properties are categorized into particle size, particle morphology, friability, electrostatics, permeability, wettability, cohesion, bulk density, and agglomeration sections. A distinct focus is placed on the segment about powder wettability. This review informs readers about the fundamental properties of powders known to influence pharmaceutical processes. It discusses the interrelationships among these properties, powder characterization techniques, and ideal states of powder properties that lead to optimal process performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H2) fuel is assessed to be a major component of sustainable energy systems in the net‐zero world. However, hydrogen storage is challenging and requires safe and environmentally friendly solutions like H2 geo‐sequestration. This study evaluates the effects of sulphate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) on H2 geological storage potential in the basalt rock. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) findings show the presence of significant components, that is, O‐Si‐O and organic functional groups, that is, aromatics, amine salts, alkane, and cyclohexane in the basalt rock immersed in the nutrient solution without SRB. However, we found that C‐H stretching modes of organics with peaks at 1,465 cm−1 were observed. Consequently, amine salt (N‐H) (850–750 cm−1), solvent impurities (C‐H), and alkane spectrums are components of nutrient solutions and can be results of metabolic microbial activity that can influence on the surface of the basalt rock. Hence, these changes indicate the presence of microbial activity which might affect the surface chemistry of the rock leading to wettability alteration. We observed that the contact angle (θ) of brine‐H2 on the rock surface slightly changed from 500 to 4,000 psi pressure after the effect of bacteria at 50 °C. The wettability changed the surface of the rock from strong water‐wet to weak or intermediate water‐wet condition (i.e., θ < 75°) at 4,000 psi and temperatures 25 and 50 °C after the bacteria effect. The affiliation of brine water reduces on the rock surface with increasing temperatures and pressures, even without microbial influence. Additionally, we investigated interfacial tension and capillary pressure on SRB bacteria treated basalt which is not yet reported in the published work. Interfacial tension (IFT) and Pc of H2 were reduced by 19% and 65%, respectively at 50 °C and 4,000 psi after the bacteria effect. Hence, the above findings could help to answer the key factors of the reservoir rock including wettability, capillary pressure, and interfacial tension to plan a field‐scale H2 geo‐sequestration strategy under the influence of biotic life. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condensate and liquid blockage is a serious problem in gas condensate reservoirs as it reduces gas production. There are many methods to solve this problem, however, most of them are temporary or expensive. Wettability alteration of reservoir rocks from a liquid-wet state to a gas-wet state via nanoparticles is a long-lasting, cheap, and environmentally friendly solution to condensate blockage. With the aim of promoting this treatment in field scales, this review article presents a report of almost all the research carried out in this area. The results of different research teams are compared and the advantages and disadvantages of each research are detailed. Furthermore, the mechanisms and effects of gas-wetting alteration are fully explained, and the existence of an optimum wettability state is discussed. We found that silica nanoparticles are the most commonly used type of nanoparticles in wettability alteration towards a gas wet state due to their effectiveness and endurance. Most importantly, we present two new theories about the application of nanoparticles in the wettability alteration process of condensate reservoirs. First, it may be possible to inject nanoparticles into reservoirs via foam which not only stabilizes foam but also increases the effectiveness of wettability alteration treatment. Second, nanoparticles can be used to alter the wettability and prevent fines migration and sand production simultaneously. This review can be utilized as a reference in expanding the use of nanoparticles in gas-wetting alteration in field scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inkjet printing of water-based graphene and graphene oxide inks on five substrates, two rigid (silicon and glass) and three flexible (cellulose, indium tin oxide-coated polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) and ceramic coated paper (PEL paper)), is reported in this work. The physical properties of the inks, the chemical/topographical properties of selected substrates, and the inkjet printing (IJP) of the graphene-based materials, including the optimisation of the printing parameters together with the morphological characterisation of the printed layers, are investigated and described in this article. Furthermore, the impact of both the chemical and topographical properties of the substrates and the physical properties of graphene-based inks on the morphology, wettability and surface coverage of the inkjet-printed graphene patterns is studied and discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wettability between a Si–S steel with 0.2 wt pct sulfur and 0~3.5 wt pct silicon and a CaO substrate was investigated using a sessile drop method at 1550 °C. The equilibrium contact angle between the Si–S steel and the CaO substrate was 95, 136, 142 and 142 deg when the content of silicon in the steel was 0, 1.4, 2.8, and 3.5 wt pct, respectively. When there was no silicon in the steel, the steel hardly reacted with the CaO substrate. However, when the steel contained > 1 wt pct silicon, a reaction layer composed of CaS and 2CaO·SiO2 was generated at the interface between the molten steel and the substrate. Besides, the thickness of the reaction layer increased from 0 to 36 μm with the silicon content in the steel increasing from 0 to 2.8 wt pct, because the dissolved oxygen was reduced by silicon. However, when the silicon content increased to 3.5 wt pct, the thickness of the reaction layer reversely decreased, which was attributed to the prevention of the sulfur diffusion in the dense solid state reaction layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effects of sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) on the wettability of the surface of the two most common recycled plastics in refrigeration equipment: HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) and ABS (acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene). These plastics, in the form of flakes, were identified on the basis of their FTIR spectra, and then, they were subjected to a study of contact angles using the sessile droplet method. The solutions for the angle analysis included tap water with the addition of SLES. The results of this study showed that at SLES concentrations of 0.1 g/L and 0.2 g/L, the differences in the contact angles for HIPS and ABS were 10.76° and 10.10°, respectively. This research confirmed the potential of using SLES as a support for the flotation separation of plastics with similar densities and surface characteristics, such as HIPS and ABS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal dust is a major safety hazard in the process of coal mining and is of great importance to ensure production safety and maintain the health of operators. In order to understand the microscopic mechanism during coal seam water injection and reveal the mechanism of surfactants in improving the wettability of coal dust, coking coal was selected as the research object. Three surfactants, SDBS, AEO-9, and CAB-35, were chosen for molecular dynamics simulation research on the wetting and adsorption properties of water/coal/surfactants. The results show that surfactant molecules can cover the hydrophobic groups on the surface of coking coal, forming a hydrophilic adsorption layer, changing the coal surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, and enhancing the wettability. After adding surfactants, the thickness of the adsorption layer in the z-axis direction increases, expanding the contact area between coking coal and water molecules, thereby improving the wettability. When surfactants tightly cover the surface of coking coal, their binding strength increases, forming a more stable hydrophilic layer and further improving the wettability. At the same time, surfactants promote the diffusion of water molecules and enhance the interaction between hydrophobic alkyl chains and water molecules, further enhancing the wetting effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how different flow patterns emerge at various macro‐ and pore scale heterogeneity, pore wettability and surface roughness is remains a long standing scientific challenge. Such understanding allows to predict the amount of trapped fluid left behind, of crucial importance to applications ranging from microfluidics and fuel cells to subsurface storage of carbon and hydrogen. We examine the interplay of wettability and pore‐scale heterogeneity including both pore angularity and roughness, by a combination of micro‐CT imaging of 3D grain packs with direct visualization of 2D micromodels. The micromodels are designed to retain the key morphological and topological properties derived from the micro‐CT images. Different manufacturing techniques allow us to control pore surface roughness. We study the competition between flow through the pore centers and flow along rough pore walls and corners in media of increasing complexity in the capillary flow regime. The resulting flow patterns and their trapping efficiency are in excellent agreement with previous μ‐CT results. We observe different phase transitions between the following flow regimes (phases): (a) Frontal/compact advance, (b) wetting and drainage Invasion percolation, and (c) Ordinary percolation. We present a heterogeneity‐wettability‐roughness phase diagram that predicts these regimes. Key Points: The interplay of pore‐scale heterogeneity, wettability, and surface roughness controls displacement patterns and capillary trapping efficiencyThe invasion pattern for capillary flow were visualized by micro‐CT‐ and micromodel experiments and classified in a new phase diagramFour generic flow regimes (phases) were observed: frontal advance, wetting and drainage invasion percolation, and ordinary percolation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the pollution of the roadway environment and the damage caused by the personnel and equipment by the dust escaping from the fully mechanized driving face, a chemical and environmentally friendly dust suppressant with strong wettability and strong adhesion was developed based on the engineering background of the west-wing track roadway of Jining Jinqiao coal mine, and inhalable dust as the research object, with surfactants as the key skeleton and inorganic salts and polymer adhesives as auxiliary materials. The results of field verification show that the chemical dust suppressant has a better ability to lithological particles and can effectively reduce the concentration of respirable dust in the roadway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lab-made ferrite-aluminium layered double oxide (Fe/Al LDO) nanoparticles were used as reinforcement in the production of copper matrix composite coatings via the electrodeposition route in this study. The Cu coatings electrodeposited galvanostatically without and with low concentrations of Fe/Al LDO nanoparticles were characterized by SEM (morphology), AFM (topography and roughness), XRD (phase composition and texture), Vickers microindentation (hardness), and the static sessile drop method (wettability). All Cu coatings were fine-grained and microcrystalline with a (220) preferred orientation, with a tendency to increase the grain size, the roughness, and this degree of the preferred orientation with increasing the coating thickness. The cross-section analysis of coatings electrodeposited with Fe/Al LDO nanoparticles showed their uniform distribution throughout the coating. Hardness analysis of Cu coatings performed by application of the Chicot-Lesage (C-L) composite hardness model showed that Fe/Al LDO nanoparticles added to the electrolyte caused a change of the composite system from "soft film on hard cathode" into "hard film on soft cathode" type, confirming the successful incorporation of the nanoparticles in the coatings. The increase in roughness had a crucial effect on the wettability of the coatings, causing a change from hydrophilic reinforcement-free coatings to hydrophobic coatings obtained with incorporated Fe/Al LDO nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first results of the deposition of coatings from accelerated ions of fluorinated fullerene C60(CF3)12 are presented. The coatings are formed at room temperature on Si substrates from a beam of singly charged ions with an energy of 5 keV, as well as from an ion beam that also contains doubly charged ions and a certain amount of ionized fragments of molecules. The properties and structure of coatings obtained from accelerated ions of fluorinated fullerene are compared with the properties and structure of coatings obtained from accelerated fullerene C60 ions under the same conditions. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorinated fullerene coatings contain about 4% fluorine. Investigations of the coatings structure and chemical bonds by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman scattering show that the presence of fluorine leads to a decrease in the content of sp3-bonds in the coatings and the formation of graphite-like sp2-structures. Coating hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E) compared to C60 ion coatings decrease from 36 to 18 GPa and from 245 to 133 GPa, respectively, while the H/E ratio remains the same (~0.14). Tribological tests have shown for all coatings the friction coefficient is close to 0.1. All coatings are also characterized by a very low wear, less than 10–7 mm3/(N m). For coatings obtained from C60(CF3)12 ions, the contact angle is ~76°–78°. In the absence of fluorine, for the coating obtained from C60 ions, it is ~90°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the severe pollution caused by the existing shrink proofing treatment of wool fabric by chlorination method, the protease Savinase 16L and the substrate activator LKZ-630 were used to form a protease-catalyzed system to carry out the shrink proofing finishing of wool fabrics in the way of multiple padding. The results show that the total area shrinkage of wool fabrics was reduced from 14.6% to 1.0% after protease treatment, which met the requirement of machine-washable. The scales of the treated wool became thinner and smoother, and the warp-breaking strength was reduced by 14.63%. In addition, the treated fabrics had good wettability, deep dyeing, and a soft hand feel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread utilization of metamaterials, despite their immense transformative potential, faces challenges regarding scalability in mass production. To address these limitations, an additive method that leverages liquid inks and selective wetting to produce scalable and cost‐effective metamaterials is presented. UV‐based imprinting lithography is utilized to fabricate surface energy‐modulated patterns, enabling precise solution patterning. This approach, unlike conventional UV‐based imprinting lithography, not only accurately produces the negative replica of the stamp topography during UV‐induced crosslinking but also transfers a hydrophobic layer onto the raised surfaces of the imprinted hydrophilic layer, resulting in 3D shapes with spatially modulated surface energy. In the second process step, a functional ink is dragged over the patterned substrate where it dewets to fill the hydrophilic recesses. This innovative process enables high‐speed metamaterial production, with ink deposition speeds up to 12 m min−1. The method accommodates a wide range of inks, including metals, dielectrics, and semiconductors, providing meticulous control over vertical structures such as pattern thickness and hetero‐multilayer formation. Additionally, it offers flexibility in creating metamaterials on free‐standing ultra‐thin sheets, introducing desirable attributes like foldability and disposability. The effectiveness of this approach is validated through the fabrication and characterization of metallic metamaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface tension and wetting are dominating physical effects in microscale and nanoscale flows. We present an efficient and reliable model of surface tension and equilibrium contact angles in smoothed particle hydrodynamics for free-surface problems. We demonstrate its robustness and accuracy by simulating several three-dimensional free-surface flow problems driven by interfacial tension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet spreading is ubiquitous and plays a significant role in liquid-based energy systems, thermal management devices and microfluidics. While the spreading of non-volatile droplets is quantitatively understood, the spreading and flow transition in volatile droplets remains elusive due to the complexity added by interfacial phase change and non-equilibrium thermal transport. Here we show, using both mathematical modelling and experiments, that the wetting dynamics of volatile droplets can be scaled by the spatial-temporal interplay between capillary, evaporation and thermal Marangoni effects. We elucidate and quantify these complex interactions using phase diagrams based on systematic theoretical and experimental investigations. A spreading law of evaporative droplets is derived by extending Tanner's law (valid for non-volatile liquids) to a full range of liquids with saturation vapour pressure spanning from 101 to 104 Pa and on substrates with thermal conductivity from 10-1 to 103 W m-1 K-1. In addition to its importance in fluid-based industries, the conclusions also enable a unifying explanation to a series of individual works including the criterion of flow reversal and the state of dynamic wetting, making it possible to control liquid transport in diverse application scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taklamakan and Gobi Desert (TGD) region has experienced a pronounced increase in summer precipitation, including high-impact extreme events, over recent decades. Despite identifying large-scale circulation changes as a key driver of the wetting trend, understanding the relative contributions of internal variability and external forcings remains limited. Here, we approach this problem by using a hierarchy of numerical simulations, complemented by diverse statistical analysis tools. Our results offer strong evidence that the atmospheric internal variations primarily drive this observed trend. Specifically, recent changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation have redirected the storm track, leading to increased extratropical storms entering TGD and subsequently more precipitation. A clustering analysis further demonstrates that these linkages predominantly operate at the synoptic scale, with larger contributions from large precipitation events. Our analysis highlights the crucial role of internal variability, in addition to anthropogenic forcing, when seeking a comprehensive understanding of future precipitation trends in TGD. The Taklamakan and Gobi Desert region has witnessed a significant rise in summer precipitation in recent decades. This study shows that atmospheric internal variability, rather than external forcings, is the main driver shaping this wetting trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storage of CO2 and hydrogen within depleted gas and oil reservoirs holds immense potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and advancing renewable energy initiatives. However, achieving effective storage necessitates a thorough comprehension of the dynamic interplay between interfacial tension and wettability alteration under varying conditions. This comprehensive review investigates the multifaceted influence of several critical parameters on the alterations of IFT and wettability during the injection and storage of CO2 and hydrogen. Through a meticulous analysis of pressure, temperature, treatment duration, pH levels, the presence of nanoparticles, organic acids, anionic surfactants, and rock characteristics, this review elucidates the intricate mechanisms governing the changes in IFT and wettability within reservoir environments. By synthesizing recent experimental and theoretical advancements, this review aims to provide a holistic understanding of the processes underlying IFT and wettability alteration, thereby facilitating the optimization of storage efficiency and the long-term viability of depleted reservoirs as carbon capture and storage or hydrogen storage solutions. The insights gleaned from this analysis offer invaluable guidance for researchers, engineers, and policymakers engaged in harnessing the potential of depleted reservoirs for sustainable energy solutions and environmental conservation. This synthesis of knowledge serves as a foundational resource for future research endeavors aimed at enhancing the efficacy and reliability of CO2 and hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a simple approach to modify the wettability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using graphene oxide (GO). The proposed method involves a series of steps including O2 plasma treatment, APTES functionalization, GO deposition, and substrate washing and drying. The presence of a GO film on the PDMS surface was confirmed by SEM, AFM, FTIR, and GO reduction using HI acid. The GO film significantly improved the water wettability of the PDMS substrates, as evidenced by a drop in water contact angle from 112° to 40°. Over the course of time, the contact angle increases to reach a value of almost 70° after 4 days before finally settling at a steady value of 82° after 9 days. Once this value was reached, no further changes were observed in the contact angle. Even with the increase in the contact angle, the proposed method shows an enhancement in the hydrophilicity of the PDMS of almost 35°. This treatment improved also the wettability of the PDMS under an oil medium where a dispensed water droplet attaches on the GO-coated PDMS surface. The versatility of this method lies in its ability to tune the wettability of PDMS, making it suitable for a diverse range of applications. For instance, it can be used to create flexible hydrophilic membranes for efficient oil/water separation or to fabricate hydrophilic microfluidic chips for biological purposes. Overall, this study offers a simple and effective approach for altering the surface properties of PDMS, expanding its potential for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopolymers, serving as Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) agents, are posing challenges and opportunities within the oil industry, particularly in demanding operational conditions. The assessment of trimethyl chitosan (TMC) and its hydrophobized derivative with myristoyl chloride (TMC‐C14) becomes crucial in these rigorous scenarios, presenting a significant challenge for polymer flooding. The study subjected TMC and TMC‐C14 to comprehensive evaluations as EOR agents, employing contact angle measurements, interfacial tension tests using the Drop Shape Analyzer (DSA), and core flood tests under conditions of 60°C, 1000 psi, and elevated salinity. Relative permeabilities were deduced from the results, while spontaneous imbibition tests provided insights into rock wettability. Amott cell tests underscored that both TMC and TMC‐C14 induced accelerated spontaneous oil production within a span of 30 days. Notably, TMC‐C14 exhibited superior interfacial activity compared to TMC, attributed to its hydrophobic segments. The impact on rock wettability was distinct: TMC shifted it towards water‐wet, while TMC‐C14 induced a neutral‐wet condition. This transformation was corroborated by contact angle measurements, imbibition tests, and relative permeability curves. Capillary forces, computed from DSA data and spontaneous imbibition tests, further validated the wettability‐altering tendencies of the chitosan derivatives on the rock. In core flooding tests and relative permeability curves, TMC demonstrated a notable improvement in the recovery factor (RF) compared to seawater. Specifically, RFTMC achieved 69%, surpassing RFbrine at 49%, affirming that the primary mechanism of action for chitosan derivatives lies in their ability to modify rock wettability. This study shows the potential of TMC and TMC‐C14 as effective EOR agents, shedding light on their interfacial activities, impact on rock wettability, and enhanced recovery factors in challenging operational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of wettability on the permeability performance of water–oil two-phase flow has attracted increasing attention. Dispersed flow and stratified flow are two flow regimes for water–oil two-phase flow in capillary fractures. The theoretical models of relative permeability considering wettability were developed for these two water–oil flow regimes from the momentum equations of the two-fluid model. Wettability coefficients were proposed to study the impact of wettability on relative permeabilities. Experiments were conducted to study the relative permeabilities of laminar water–oil two-phase flow in water-saturated and oil-saturated horizontal capillary fractures with different hydraulic diameters. These fractures were made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which had different surface wettabilities. In this experiment, the regimes are dispersed flow and stratified flow. The results show that the effect of wettability on the relative permeabilities increases as the hydraulic diameters of capillary fractures decrease for water–oil two-phase flow. The relative permeabilities in a water-saturated capillary fracture are higher than those in an oil-saturated capillary fracture of the same material. The relative permeabilities in a PTFE capillary fracture are larger than those in a PMMA capillary fracture under the same saturated condition. Wettability has little effect on the permeability performances of water–oil two-phase flow in water-saturated capillary fractures, but is significant for those in oil-saturated capillary fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass-to-metal seals are a very important element in the construction of vacuum tubes, electric discharge tubes, pressure-tight glass windows in metal cases, and metal or ceramic packages of electronic components. This paper presents the influence of different pretreatment methods on the high-temperature wettability of 304 stainless steel by high-alumina glass sealing. The pretreatment of the steel included laser surface melting and pre-oxidizing. The bonding characteristics of glass and stainless steel directly depend on the wettability in terms of the measured wetting angle, the type of oxide formed at the stainless steel surface, and the microstructural changes during the manufacturing process. The oxide film thickness on the stainless steel surface was evaluated to determine the optimal parameters. The film was wetted with high-alumina glass powder at different temperatures. The results showed that pre-oxidation decreased the wetting angle from 56.2° to 33.6°, while for the laser-melted surface, the wetting angle decreased from 49.8° to 31.5°. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the oxide film on the laser-melted surface was thicker and denser than that formed on the pre-oxidized surface. The present work shows that laser surface melting has a greater beneficial influence on the wetting and diffusion characteristics of 304 stainless steel sealed by high-alumina glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wettability of polymers is usually inadequate to ensure the appropriate spreading of polar liquids and thus enable the required adhesion of coatings. A standard ecologically benign method for increasing the polymer wettability is a brief treatment with a non-equilibrium plasma rich in reactive oxygen species and predominantly neutral oxygen atoms in the ground electronic state. The evolution of the surface wettability of selected aromatic polymers was investigated by water droplet contact angles deposited immediately after exposing polymer samples to fluxes of oxygen atoms between 3 × 1020 and 1 × 1023 m−2s−1. The treatment time varied between 0.01 and 1000 s. The wettability evolution versus the O-atom fluence for all aromatic polymers followed similar behavior regardless of the flux of O atoms or the type of polymer. In the range of fluences between approximately 5 × 1020 and 5 × 1023 m−2, the water contact angle decreased exponentially with increasing fluence and dropped to 1/e of the initial value after receiving the fluence close to 5 × 1022 m−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing surfaces coated with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) to enhance the thermal capacity of micro heat pipes (MHPs) through numerical modeling. The developed model considered surface wettability, condensation rate, working fluid interaction, and heat transport within the MHP. Validation of the model against experimental references from the literature showed an average error of 5%. Using this validated model, conditions were extrapolated for two key parameters: (1) contact angles (CA) of 0 ∘ (superhydrophilicity) and 159 ∘ (superhydrophobicity), and (2) a condensation rate of 4.26 mL of water in 2 h, both characteristics obtained in previous experimental studies with VACNTs. This allowed for the evaluation of the benefits of employing VACNTs, resulting in a thermal resistance at least tenfold lower, with the ideal condensation rate lying between 334.50 and 836.25 μ W cm - 2 . The analysis also investigated the influence of different parameters on multiphysical systems, revealing that their interaction leads to a combined effect where the resulting magnitude exceeds the sum of the individual influences of each parameter. Through this study, a better understanding of heat pipes with wettability gradient system behavior was achieved, enabling separate studies of wettability and condensation rate parameters and facilitating more in-depth analyses. The use of VACNTs emerged as a promising option for enhancing heat pipes, offering potentially more efficient and significant results compared to conventional surface treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Achieving rapid capillary wetting is highly desirable in nature and industries. Previous endeavors have primarily concentrated on passive wetting strategies through surface engineering. However, these approaches are inadequate for high-viscosity fluids due to the significant viscous resistance, especially for non-Newtonian fluids. In contrast, forced wetting emerges as a promising method to address the challenges associated with achieving rapid wetting of non-Newtonian fluids in capillaries. To investigate the forced wetting behavior of viscoelastic fluids in capillaries, we employ Xanthan Gum (XG) aqueous solutions as target fluids with the storage modulus significantly exceeding the loss modulus. We utilize smooth glass capillaries connected to a syringe pump to achieve high moving speeds of up to 1 m/s. Our experiments reveal a significant distinction in the power-law exponent that governs the scaling relationship between the dynamic contact angle and velocity for viscoelastic fluids compared to Newtonian fluids. This exponent is considerably smaller and varies based on the concentration of viscoelastic fluids and the diameter of the capillaries. We suggest that the viscosity dominates the wetting dynamics of viscoelastic fluids, manifested by the contact line morphology-dependent behavior. This insight has significant implications for microfluidics and drug injectability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The droplet/bubble adhesion characteristics depend on the length of the droplet/bubble three-phase contact line. Since the deformation caused by the liquid–gas interfacial tension on the soft substrate, referred as to the wetting ridge, retards contact line spreading and retraction, we conjecture that the droplet/bubble adhesion characteristics depend also on the substrate softness. Soft substrates with various shear moduli are prepared and characterized by the spreading and receding dynamics of water droplets and underwater bubbles. Snap-in and normal adhesion forces of droplets/bubbles on such soft substrates are directly measured along with the visualized droplet/bubble shape profiles. The droplet/bubble snap-in force, which corresponds to the short-time spreading dynamics, decreases with a decrease in the substrate shear modulus because of the retarded contact line spreading. The droplet maximal adhesion force on a soft substrate can be counterintuitively either smaller or larger than its counterpart on the rigid substrate depending on different dwelling times, i.e., the droplet/bubble-substrate contact time before droplet/bubble-substrate separation. The former is attributed to the retarded contact line spreading, whereas the latter is attributed to the retarded contact line retraction. The substrate softness- and dwelling time-dependent droplet/bubble adhesion reported in this study will benefit various applications related to soft substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric mechanical transducers have important applications in energy harvesting, signal transmission, and micro-mechanics. To achieve asymmetric transformation of mechanical motion or energy, active robotic metamaterials, as well as materials with asymmetric microstructures or internal orientation, are usually employed. However, these strategies usually require continuous energy supplement and laborious fabrication, and limited transformation modes are achieved. Herein, utilizing wettability patterned surfaces for precise control of the droplet contact line and inner flow, we demonstrate a droplet-based mechanical transducer system, and achieve multimodal responses to specific vibrations. By virtue of the synergistic effect of surface tension and solid-liquid adhesion on the liquid dynamics, the droplet on the patterned substrate can exhibit symmetric/asymmetric vibration transformation when the substrate vibrates horizontally. Based on this, we construct arrayed patterns with distinct arrangements on the substrate, and employ the swarm effect of the arrayed droplets to achieve three-dimensional and multimodal actuation of the target plate under a fixed input vibration. Further, we demonstrate the utilization of the mechanical transducers for vibration management, object transport, and laser modulation. These findings provide a simple yet efficient strategy to realize a multimodal mechanical transducer, which shows significant potential for aseismic design, optical molding, as well as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Asymmetric mechanical transducers are pivotal in various applications; however, conventional methods demand continuous energy and intricate fabrication. Here, the authors demonstrate a droplet-based mechanical transducer utilizing wettability-patterned surfaces, enabling precise control of droplet dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetting phenomena underpin a plethora of key processes occurring in nature and artificial systems. Subtle control over wetting can boost the performance of devices with applications in diverse technologies, spanning electrochemical energy conversion, storage, and capacitive deionization to variable micro‐/nano‐fluidics platforms and electro(nano)tribology. A common characteristic of these systems is their operation under application of an electric field that induces a series of electrochemical processes that can impact wetting. The dependence of wetting on the applied potential bias is referred to as electrowetting. Carbon‐based materials hold a central role as both active electrodes and additives in such systems due to their distinct physicochemical properties and versatile characteristics. Deciphering the mechanisms of electrowetting on carbon in contact with electrolytes of varied types and compositions requires the fundamental understanding of the underlying processes taking place at the carbon/electrolyte interface. Simultaneously, a systematic investigation of electrowetting can often provide significant insights into the properties of the interface. In this concept article, we discuss the latest advances in the area along with the current challenges and future directions of this recently revived research topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loess has unique water sensitivity due to its distinct formation environment. The structure of loess is undercompactness, weak cementation, and porousness. The water sensitivity of loess directly leads to many environmental problems and geological hazards, including subgrade subsidences, slope collapse or failures, and building cracking. To reveal the relationship between water sensitivity and loess structure, confined-compression collapsibility tests and triaxial-collapsibility tests were performed on loess in different areas. The collapsibility coefficient, porosity ratio, and collapsibility rate were analyzed. Results show that the collapsibility process of loess can be divided into three stages: wetting, softening, and settling. The collapsibility sensitivity of loess is determined primarily by its structural and hydraulic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid (PLA) fabric is a plant-based fibrous functional material that is considered promising for application in electronic device packaging due to its unique sustainability and safety characteristics. However, the hydrophobic properties of PLA fabric with a single structure hinder its liquid asymmetric wettability. In this work, bilayer polylactic acid@secondary alkyl sulfonate/cellulose (PLA@SAS/CE) fabrics were prepared with wettability and pore size gradients across the cross direction. A carding process was used to generate the cellulose layer, whereas a melt blowing process was used for preparing the PLA@SAS microfiber layer. The fabrics were then produced using a thermal composite process. The pore sizes of the obtained PLA@SAS microfiber layer could be tuned by air pressure, whereas the surface wetting capacity could be adjusted by altering the SAS mass concentration. By optimizing the wettability and pore size gradients, the resulting PLA@SAS/CE fabrics exhibited a high one-way transport capacity of 577.7 and a favorable liquid absorption rate of 54.0 mg/s, which demonstrated excellent asymmetric wettability. Moreover, the prepared PLA@SAS/CE fabric samples exhibited a sizeable breaking strength, excellent flexibility, and good printability, while demonstrated their potential in eco-friendly electronic device packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most previous publications attempt to control the trapping and release of liquid droplets on a surface through tuning the surface energy of the substrate, for example, by photoisomerization. In this work, the energy barrier between the trapped and released state is raised or lowered by controlling the droplet contact area. This is achieved by designing a dynamically reconfigurable surface where an external stimulus is used to change the surface topography. The system consists of two microstructured components, one being ridges separated by microtrenches and the other a perforated membrane. They are aligned in such a way that the ridges can be raised or lowered through the perforations with the help of a piezo drive. This way the topography changes from surfaces consisting of hills to one consisting of holes – and back again. This dynamic surface reconfiguration changes the contact area such that drops resting or rolling on them become captured or released on demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum nitride (AlN), a versatile ceramic with high thermal conductivity, high electrical resistivity, and a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with silicon, is well‐suited for direct‐to‐chip cooling applications of electronics, implementation in wide bandgap semiconductors, and for high‐temperature heat exchangers. Despite multiple advantages, AlN's implementation in liquid‐cooling applications is often hindered by surface‐degrading effects of working‐fluid‐induced hydrolysis. Herein, a scalable ‐but highly tunable‐ wettability engineering approach is introduced, that allows effective implementation of bulk AlN substrates in enhanced two‐phase cooling of electronics. The approach prevents hydrolysis of AlN by aqueous media and establishes control over surface roughness, all the while maintaining bulk integrity and material properties of the underlying substrate. Demonstration of the new approach is presented in spontaneous, pumpless, surface liquid transport, a necessity if such ceramics are to play an integral role as components of sealed, phase‐change, wickless thermal‐management devices (e.g., vapor chambers or heat pipes) that require rapid working‐fluid transport in their multi‐phase interior. The novelty of this work lies in establishing a scalable methodology for utilizing and further enhancing the properties of this non‐oxide ceramic material for phase‐change heat‐transfer hermetic devices, thereby paving the way toward the implementation of this intriguing material in next‐generation heat spreaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colloidal layer formation on porous materials is a crucial step for printing and applying functional coatings, which can be used to fabricate anticounterfeiting paper. The deposition of colloidal layers and subsequent thermal treatment allows for modifying the hydrophilicity of the surface of a material. In the present work, wood-based colloidal inks are applied by spray deposition on spray-deposited porous cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) films. The surface modification by thermal annealing of the fabricated colloid-cellulose hybrid thin films is investigated in terms of layering and hydrophobicity. The polymer colloids in the inks are core–shell nanoparticles with different sizes and glass transition temperatures (Tg), thus enabling different and low thermal treatment temperatures. The ratio between the core polymers, poly-(sobrerol methacrylate) (PSobMA), and poly-(-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) determines the Tg and hence allows for tailoring of the Tg. The layer formation of the colloidal inks on the porous CNF layer depends on the imbibition properties of the CNF layer which is determined by their morphology. The water adhesion of the CNF layer decreases due to the deposition of the colloids and thermal treatment except for the colloids with a size smaller than the void size of the porous CNF film. In this case, the colloids are imbibed into the CNF layer when Tg of the colloids is reached and the polymer chains transit in a mobile phase. Tailored aggregate and nanoscale-embedded hybrid structures are achieved depending on the colloid properties. The imbibition of these colloids into the porous CNF films is verified with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering. This study shows a route for tuning the nanoscale structure and macroscopic physicochemical properties useful for anticounterfeiting paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to develop a model for computing direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) performance, taking into account capillary pressure effects at the liquid--gas interface within membrane pores. We developed a simulation model to investigate how factors such as pore radius, feed/permeate temperature, pressure, and contact angle influenced the distance of liquid intrusion into the pore, the weight flow rate in a single pore, and the temperature at the liquid--gas interface. The model predicted that the permeation rate would decrease with an increase in the feed pressurewhen the permeate pressure was kept constant and also when the pressure difference between the feed and permeate was kept constant. It also predicted that the permeation rate would increase with an increase in the permeate pressure when the feed pressure was kept constant. The model also indicated that partial pore wetting would be enhanced with an increase in feed pressure when the pore size was as large as 1 μm but would diminish when the pore size was as small as 0.1 μm. According to the model, partial pore wetting diminished with a decrease in the permeate pressure. The model's predictions were in line with the trends observed in the experimental DCMD flux data by many authors, particularly those regarding the effects of feed and permeate temperature and the effect of contact angle. The model's predictions were compared with the experimental data recorded in the literature, validating the model's accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blend matrix composed of polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose (PVA/CMC) was prepared via the casting method. SiO2 nanoparticles were added as reinforcement in different amounts (SiO2 = 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt.%). The study utilized FTIR to examine the alterations in composition and the interplay between the blend matrix and the inclusion of SiO2. Also, for the first time, the surface roughness and surface wettability of the PVA/CMC blend matrix were investigated with the addition of SiO2 using measurements of contact angle and surface roughness parameters. The surface roughness and wettability of the blend matrix increased as the SiO2 content increased. In addition, the blend matrix optical features were determined by the UV–visible spectrophotometer. Based on the analysis using Tauc's relation, it was found that the energy bandgap decreases from 5.52 to 5.17 eV (direct transition) and from 4.79 to 4.32 eV (indirect transition) for the PVA/CMC and PVA/CMC/4%SiO2 blend films, respectively. The refractive index increases from 2.009 to about 2.144 for the PVA/CMC and PVA/CMC/4%SiO2 blend films, respectively. Furthermore, optical conductivity and dielectric constants were improved for the PVA/CMC blend film after the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rock-fluid interaction is associated with formation damage and occurs due to the introduction of foreign fluids that cause chemical and physical imbalances in the rock matrix and in the fluids insides, which reduces the permeability of formation The objective of the research is to evaluate properties of rock-fluid interaction in an improved recovery process. The research is developed on a laboratory scale with injection of chemical formulation, in search of alternatives for the improvement of oil production and the increase of the recovery factor of the reservoirs. Wettability tests and physical-chemical characterization of the injected fluids and effluents (total dissolved solids, density, conductivity, chloride, calcium, magnesium and pH) were carried out before and after contact with the formation. Based on determinations of density, water and sediment content, asphaltenes and rheological behavior, the characterization of the crude oil from the Seboruco well was carried out, as well as the layer water that was analyzed for its ionic composition and its classification. Such tests indicated a heavy and pseudoplastic crude oil, and a sodium hydrocarbonated layer water. The rock-fluid interaction tests showed significant changes in the wettability of the rock, from to oil-wet to water-wet. The analyzes of the effluents corroborated ionic exchange in the rock-fluid system such as: The increases in pH and increased content of chloride, calcium and magnesium obtained during the formulation step, which in some way favored the displacement of crude oil in the porous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New approaches to low salinity water (LSW) injection methods, such as LSW/surfactant, LSW/polymer, and LSW/nanofluid flooding, have been studied for oil reservoirs. Numerous researchers discussed the mechanisms related to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) efficiency and highlighted the significant impact of the wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction. This work studied the effect of exposure time on the wettability alteration and IFT in the LSW/nanoparticle (LSWN) flooding. Contact angle tests investigated rock wettability over a series of different times. A pendant drop tensiometer was used to measure the IFT. By coreflood apparatus, waterflood tests were also conducted, considering the effect of soaking time. Laboratory results showed that the involved mechanisms are time-dependent. More water-wet conditions and higher oil recovery were obtained under longer soaking time. In addition, the positive effect of LSWN was observed in tertiary flooding tests. The results also indicate that the effect of water-soluble oil compounds should be considered in measuring wettability and IFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]