RESUMEN
HYPOTHESIS: Electrowetting on conventional dielectrics requires direct fluid-electrode contact to generate strong electric fields at the three-phase contact line to modulate the wetting. Since the electric field alters wetting, the modulation of wetting can be achieved by applying an external electric field through insulated electrodes, preventing the liquid from contacting the electrodes. EXPERIMENT: A simple and efficient method for non-contact between the fluid and the electrode external electric field modulation of fluid wetting was proposed. The switching ability of droplets on microgroove surfaces from Cassie-Baxter to Wenzel wetting state under an external electric field was used to drive and quantify the relationship between wetting, contact angle, and the applied voltage. FINDINGS: Applying an external electric field modulates the wetting of deionized water, ionic liquids, and high-viscosity liquids on microgrooves. The wetting degree of liquid can be controlled by adjusting the external voltage parameters. The finite element simulations revealed that the Maxwell force drove this process. The effects of substrate size and liquid properties on wetting behavior were also examined. Post-application cross-sectional imaging showed the formation of a conformal interface, highlighting the relevance of the proposed method in advanced adaptive shape fabrication and microfluidic control, among other applications.
RESUMEN
Graphene films grown by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method suffer from contamination and damage during transfer. Herein, an innovative ice-enabled transfer method under an applied electric field and in the presence of Cu2O (or Cu2O-Electric-field Ice Transfer, abbreviated as CEIT) is developed. Ice serves as a pollution-free transfer medium while water molecules under the electric field fully wet the graphene surface for a bolstered adhesion force between the ice and graphene. Cu2O is used to reduce the adhesion force between graphene and copper. The combined methodology in CEIT ensures complete separation and clean transfer of graphene, resulting in successfully transferred graphene to various substrates, including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Teflon, and C4F8 without pollution. The graphene obtained via CEIT is utilized to fabricate field-effect transistors with electrical performances comparable to that of intrinsic graphene characterized by small Dirac points and high carrier mobility. The carrier mobility of the transferred graphene reaches 9090 cm2 V-1 s-1, demonstrating a superior carrier mobility over that from other dry transfer methods. In a nutshell, the proposed clean and efficient transfer method holds great potential for future applications of graphene.
RESUMEN
The demand for both strength and toughness is perpetual in fiber-reinforced composites. Unfortunately, both properties are often mutually exclusive. As the mechanical properties of the composites are highly dependent on their interfacial properties, engineering interfaces between the fiber and matrix would be vital to overcome the conflict between strength and toughness. Herein, inspired by the physical interfacial architecture of grassroots-reinforced soil composites, a porous carbon nanotube-Mg(OH)2/MgO hybrid structure was constructed on the fiber surface via water electrolysis reaction and electrophoretic deposition process. The effects of the porous structure on the fiber filaments' mechanical properties, as well as the thickness on the interfacial properties, were all investigated. The results showed that fully covered porous structures on the fiber surface slightly enhanced the reliability of a single fiber in terms of mechanical properties by bridging the surface defects on the fiber. The interfacial shear strength and toughness of the porous structure-coated fiber/resin composite reached up to 92.3 MPa and 121.2 J/m2, respectively. These values were 61.30 and 121.98% higher than those of pristine fiber/resin composites, respectively. The strengthening effect was ascribed to the synergistic effects that improved numerous interfacial bonding areas and mechanical interlocking morphologies. The toughening mechanism was related to crack deflection, microcrack generation, and fracture of the porous structure during interfacial failure. Additional numerical studies by finite element analysis further proved the enhancement mechanism. Overall, the proposed method looks promising for producing advanced carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites with excellent strength and toughness.
