A Stack of Functional Nanolayers for Simultaneous Emulsion Separation and Sensing

Abstract

A novel lab‐on‐a‐chip device based on a stack of four nanolayers for emulsion separation and simultaneous detection is introduced. Emulsions are separated on top of chemically patterned surfaces while the process is monitored using semiconductor sensors.

Bio‐Inspired Hierarchical Macromolecule–Nanoclay Hydrogels for Robust Underwater Superoleophobicity

“…The design of a functional water/solid interface is central to the development of innovative materials used underwater 1–6. In particular, superoleophobic surfaces are attracting increasing attention for their great potential in bio‐adhesion,7, 8 microfluidic technology,9, 10 industrial metal cleaning,11, 12 marine antifouling coating,13–16 etc. However, a robust superoleophobic surface is very difficult to construct artificially because of the complex underwater environment involving chemical and hydrodynamic factors.…”

Smart surfaces with switchable superoleophilicity and superoleophobicity in aqueous media: toward controllable oil/water separation

“…[1][2][3] Inspired by fish scales, artificial superoleophobic surfaces in aqueous media have been realized in recent years, and the study of surface oil wettability in aqueous media is emerging as a new research focus. [4][5][6][7] The wettability of oil on a material surface, when submerged in an aqueous environment, has a critical role in many practical applications, such as droplet manipulation in microfluidics, [8][9][10] cell and protein adhesion control on surfaces, [11][12][13][14] preparation of electrowetting-based displays 15 and oil/water separation. 16,17 It is anticipated that a surface with controlled oil wettability, or more desirably a smart surface that switches its oil wettability in response to external stimuli in aqueous media, would offer great promise in the design and fabrication of intelligent materials for advanced applications.…”

An Ion‐Induced Low‐Oil‐Adhesion Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Film for Stable Superoleophobicity in Seawater

“…Recent devastating cases of oil pollution caused by ships and offshore oil spills have had a negative effect on the environment, marine animals and ecosystems, which appeal for novel antifouling and oil‐repellent materials. To deal with the serious problems in oil spill crises, superoleophobic surfaces have been employed as marine oil‐repellent coatings1 in addition to applications in various fields such as adhesion,2 microfluidic technology,3 industrial cleaning,4 and others 5. Most superoleophobic coatings are highly dependent on the modification of fluorinated materials 6.…”