Pooja Yadav^1,*, Ramin Farnood², Vivek Kumar^1,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.4, pp. 1181-1197, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.072564 - 26 December 2025

Abstract Heavy metal contamination in water sources is a widespread global concern, particularly in developing nations, with various treatment approaches under extensive scientific investigation. In the present study, we fabricated electrospun composite polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes exhibiting hierarchical surface roughness and superhydrophobicity for the removal of heavy metal ions via vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) process. The membranes were prepared by incorporating optimized dosing of silica nanoparticles, followed by a two-step membrane modification approach. These membranes exhibited notable characteristics, including elevated water contact angle (152.8 ± 3.2°), increased liquid entry pressure (127 ± 6 kPa), and… More > Graphic Abstract

Xinlong Wang¹, Xiaohang Qu¹, Chuandong Lin^2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2025, DOI:10.32604/icces.2025.011311

Abstract The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been extensively utilized in various fields, including the droplet dynamics [1–4]. At present, significant challenges persist in accurately resolving interfacial dynamics during droplet collisions—including deformation [5], breakup process [6] and capturing microscale details [7] of contact line motion during droplet-wall interactions. In this work, the non-orthogonal multiple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method is used to study droplets impacting superhydrophobic walls with different characteristic of surface protrusion. The horizontal displacement, maximum spreading length, and the contact time are probed in the process of droplet collisions under various conditions of Weber More >

Zihan Ma^1,2, Yan Wu¹, Hongyan Wang^2,*, Shaofei Yuan², Jian Zhang²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 931-955, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02024-0040 - 20 May 2025

Abstract Herein, the surface of Moso bamboo was hydrophobically modified by combining O₂/N₂ plasma treatments with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution treatment as the hydrophobic solution. The effects of plasma treatment process (power and time), PDMS solution concentration, and maceration time on the hydrophobic performance of bamboo specimens were studied, and the optimal treatment conditions for improving the hydrophobicity were determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the surface morphology, chemical structure, and functional groups in the specimens before and after the plasma and PDMS… More > Graphic Abstract

Yuxin He^1,#, Yixin Li^2,#, Qiaoguang Li¹, Wenqing Xiao^1,*, Guijun Xie^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 699-718, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.058349 - 21 April 2025

Abstract Wood, recognized as a renewable and environmentally sustainable material, plays a crucial role as an alternative energy resource within the construction industry. However, it is highly susceptible to mold and decay fungi, which can lead to surface discoloration and potentially compromise the structural integrity of wood. The advancement of nanotechnology has introduced innovative strategies for wood protection, enhancing its performance while imparting additional properties. Various approaches including nanosized metals, polymer nanocomposite and coating treatments are actively being explored in this field. Furthermore, integrating bio-based materials with nanotechnology offers a green and sustainable method for wood More >

Heni Radiani Arifin^1,*, Yoan Christina Angelica¹, Bambang Nurhadi¹, Herlina Marta¹, Rossy Choerun Nissa²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 617-635, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.057812 - 20 March 2025

Abstract Bionanocomposite film is produced from renewable and biodegradable natural resources. Although elephant foot yam (EFY) starch (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) is a promising polymer for bionanocomposite film, the native hydrophilic properties influence the overall performance characteristics. Incorporating virgin coconut oil (VCO) and monoglyceride as hydrophobic components can improve mechanical properties and reduce permeability while increasing the hydrophobicity of the composite. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of adding VCO and monoglyceride on EFY starch-nanocrystalline film at 3 and 5 wt% concentrations. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate… More > Graphic Abstract

Anuraag Moturi, Dharmesh R. Chejara^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.3, pp. 179-190, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.055887 - 30 September 2024

Abstract A chitosan and guar protein isolate blend conjugate (Ch/GPI-Glu) based membrane has been designed and studied for its possible interaction with this biopolymer mixture. The designed conjugate chitosan/guar protein isolate blended membrane was investigated for its structural features using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. IR Spectroscopic data suggested that chitosan and guar protein isolate contributed to a specific intermolecular interaction. The designed membrane was water-insoluble and it exhibited strong polymer–protein interaction. Further, the membrane was also found to have a smooth morphology More >

Yongchun Liu^1,*, Ni Qiao², Yanli Yang³, Yanchun Li¹, Chunxiao He¹, Siyang Wang¹, Chengcheng Liu¹, Ruixia Lei¹, Wang Li⁴, Wenwen Gao⁴

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.20, No.2, pp. 383-400, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2023.041928 - 14 December 2023

Abstract A silylated melamine sponge (SMS) was prepared by two simple steps, namely, immersion and dehydration of a melamine sponge coated with methyltrichlorosilane. The silylated structure of SMS was characterized by FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and in terms of water contact angles. Its oil-water absorption and separation capacities were measured by FT-IR and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The experimental results have shown that oligomeric silanol covalently bonds by Si−N onto the surface of melamine sponge skeletons. SMS has shown superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle exceeding 150° ± 1°, a better separation efficiency with regard to More >

Yue Hu¹, Lu-Wen Zhang^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2023, DOI:10.32604/icces.2023.010595

Abstract Liquid accretion control plays a key role across a wide range of industrial applications, such as anti-icing, power generation, sewage treatment, water desalination, and energy harvesting. In condensation system, durable dropwise condensation of saturated vapor for heat transfer and energy saving in extensive industrial applications. While numerous superhydrophobic surfaces can promote steam condensation, maintaining discrete microdroplets on surfaces without the formation of a flooded filmwise condensation at high subcooling remains challenging. Here, we report the development of carbon nanotube arrayembedded hierarchical composite surfaces that enable ultra-durable dropwise condensation under a wide range of subcooling temperatures (∆T_sub… More >

Yunyun Song¹, Xu Zhang¹, Jialei Yang¹, Zhongqiang Zhang^1,*, Guanggui Cheng¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.25, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2023, DOI:10.32604/icces.2023.09916

Abstract Although floating oil with large particle sizes can easily be separated from water by membrane separation methods, tiny oil droplets with tremendously small volume force and density gradient at oil-water interfaces within water lead to barriers of oil-water separation. Consequently, tiny oil droplets remain in the water, resulting in energy waste, environmental pollution and biological health hazard. Traditional super-wetting membranes with extremely small pore sizes were easily blocked during the oil-water separation process. Inspired by the cactus and rice leaf, we developed a superhydrophobic-superoleophilic surface with conical micro-arrays to realize ultrafast adsorption of tiny oil… More >

Jiaxing Sun¹, Lili Ji^1,*, Qianrui He¹, Ran Li¹, Xiaoyue Xia², Yaning Wang¹, Yi Yang², Lu Cai³, Jian Guo²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.8, pp. 3227-3243, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027160 - 26 June 2023

Abstract

In this study, a novel absorpent (MSAR600°C) with a hydrophobic surface and hierarchical porous structure for the removal of kitchen oil was facilely fabricated from the macroalgae, laver (Porphyra haitanensis) by incorporating high-temperature carbonization and alkyl polyglucosides (APG) and rhamnolipid (RL) surfactants modification. The characterization results showed MSAR600°C possessed a louts-leaf-like papillae microstructure with high contact angle (137.5°), abundant porous structure with high specific surface area (23.4 m²/g), and various oxygen-containing functional groups (-OH, C=O, C-O). Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of adsorption time, temperature, pH, and absorbent dose on kitchen oil adsorption

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