Superwettability‐Based Interfacial Chemical Reactions

Abstract

Superwetting interfaces arising from the cooperation of surface energy and multiscale micro/nanostructures are extensively studied in biological systems. Fundamental understandings gained from biological interfaces boost the control of wettability under different dimensionalities, such as 2D surfaces, 1D fibers and channels, and 3D architectures, thus permitting manipulation of the transport physics of liquids, gases, and ions, which profoundly impacts chemical reactions and material fabrication. In this context, the progress of new chemistry based on superwetting interfaces is highlighted, beginning with mass transport dynamics, including liquid, gas, and ion transport. In the following sections, the impacts of the superwettability‐mediated transport dynamics on chemical reactions and material fabrication is discussed. Superwettability science has greatly enhanced the efficiency of chemical reactions, including photocatalytic, bioelectronic, electrochemical, and organic catalytic reactions, by realizing efficient mass transport. For material fabrication, superwetting interfaces are pivotal in the manipulation of the transport and microfluidic dynamics of liquids on solid surfaces, leading to the spatially regulated growth of low‐dimensional single‐crystalline arrays and high‐quality polymer films. Finally, a perspective on future directions is presented.

In-situ Construction of Superhydrophilic g-C3N4 Film by Vapor-Assisted Confined Deposition for Photocatalysis

“…Few works have investigated the wettability of g-C 3 N 4 before (Lin et al, 2019). The hydrophilic behaviors of the g-C 3 N 4 films are very important for the photocatalysis since surface wettability influences the effective contact between the photocatalyst and the reactant solution (Sheng et al, 2017;Wu et al, 2018). The wettability was investigated by contact angel measurements, as illustrated in Figure 4.…”

Shaping the Contact between Li Metal Anode and Solid‐State Electrolytes

“…[ 43–45 ] As we know, many progresses have been made in controlling the surface wettability between a solid surface and liquid water or oil, which have greatly promoted the development of superhydrophobic textiles, antifrogging glasses, biomedical devices, and so on. [ 46–48 ] Most recently, a surface pattern technique was employed to induce superhydrophilicity of glass and offers excellent self‐cleaning properties. [ 49 ]…”

Enhanced catalytic reaction at an air–liquid–solid triphase interface

“…5 When these substrates are immersed in an aqueous solution, gas pockets will be trapped inside the rough surface structures leading to the formation of an air-liquid-solid triphase joint interface. 6 In this triphase interface, gaseous reactants can be readily delivered to the catalytic centre from the air phase with continuous and sufficient supply-this eliminates the gas transport problem in traditional diphase systems and can boost the catalytic kinetics in heterogeneous reactions.…”