Superhydrophobic fabrics for oil/water separation based on the metal-organic charge-transfer complex CuTCNAQ

The fabrication of a superhydrophobic nylon textile based on the organic charge-transfer complex CuTCNAQ (TCNAQ=11,11,12,12-tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane) is reported. The nylon fabric, which is metallized with copper, undergoes a spontaneous chemical reaction with TCNAQ dissolved in acetonitrile to form nanorods of CuTCNAQ that are intertwined over the entire surface of the fabric. This creates the necessary micro- and nanoscale roughness that often allows the Cassie-Baxter state to be obtained with high robustness, thereby achieving a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic surface without the need for a fluorinated surface. The material is characterized with SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and investigated for its ability to separate oil and water in two modes, namely through filtration and as an absorbent material. It is found that the fabric can separate dichloromethane, olive oil, and crude oil from water, and reduce the water content of the oil during the separation process. The fabric is reusable, highly durable, and tolerant to conditions such as seawater, hydrochloric acid, and extensive time periods on the shelf. Given that CuTCNAQ is a copper-based semiconductor, there may also be the possibility of other uses in areas such as photocatalysis and antibacterial applications

Hybrid chalcogenide nanoparticles: 2D-WS2 nanocrystals inside nested WS2 fullerenes

The MOCVD assisted formation of nested WS2 inorganic fullerenes (IF-WS2) was performed by enhancing surface diffusion with iodine, and fullerene growth was monitored by taking TEM snapshots of intermediate products. The internal structure of the core-shell nanoparticles was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after cross-cutting with a focused ion beam (FIB). Lamellar reaction intermediates were found occluded in the fullerene particles. In contrast to carbon fullerenes, layered metal chalcogenides prefer the formation of planar, plate-like structures where the dangling bonds at the edges are stabilized by excess S atoms. The effects of the reaction and annealing temperatures on the composition and morphology of the final product were investigated, and the strength of the WS2 shell was measured by intermittent contact-mode AFM. The encapsulated lamellar structures inside the hollow spheres may lead to enhanced tribological activities