Superhydrophobic Composite Coatings Can Achieve Durability and Efficient Radiative Cooling of Energy-Saving Buildings.

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) technology has received a great deal of attention in the field of energy efficiency and environmental protection as a sustainable technology and a large-scale and promising solution to mitigate the environmental impact of global warming. In this study, we prepared PDRC material by combining FEP with modified Al2O3 particles and using the method of spray combined with phase separation. The synergistic effect of the formed surface micronanostructures, combined with the molecular vibration of FEP and the phonon polarization resonance of Al2O3, further improves the optical performance of the PDRC coating. The PDRC coating has an average reflectivity of 0.96 in the solar spectral band (0.3-2.5 µm) and an average emissivity of 0.963 in the atmospheric window band ((8-13 µm). In addition, the PDRC coating had good hydrophobicity, and its water contact angle (WAC) reached 159.3°. Under direct sunlight conditions, PDRC materials have a good temperature drop (4.9 °C) compared to ambient temperatures and radiative cooling power (81.2 W/m2). The prepared coating maintains superhydrophobicity and excellent cooling performance when soaked in solutions of different pH values and UV radiation, which was of great significance for sustainable applications. Our work provides a form of long-term cooling that can be effectively implemented in green and energy-efficient buildings.

Durable, transparent and superhydrophobic coating with temperature-controlled dual-scale roughness by self-assembled raspberry nanoparticles.

This study focuses on creating a superhydrophobic, durable, and exceptionally transparent coating with dual-scale roughness by naturally formed raspberry-like particles. This approach facilitates the management of surface roughness at both single and dual scales through variations in surface functionalization temperature. We illustrated that adjusting the temperature of organosilanes functionalization on the surface allows for various reactions, such as the direct grafting of metallic precursors or their polymerization on the surface, resulting in the formation of large raspberry-like particles. We investigated the impact of nanoparticle concentration, functionalization duration, and reaction temperature on surface properties. Our results reveal that a concentration of 1.5 % SiO2 nanoparticles, combined with surface functionalization using TCMS for 4 h at 3 °C, provides the optimal conditions for creating a surface that combines superhydrophobicity, transparency, and acceptable durability. The resulting surface exhibits an impressive contact angle of 158.9°, a sliding angle of 2°, and a transmittance rate of 82 %. Furthermore, the coating demonstrates remarkable resistance to abrasion for up to 35 cycles and can withstand temperatures up to 280 °C. It also offers enhanced protection against UV radiation for 50 h and improved resistance to sand abrasion for up to 30 s, enduring bombardment pressures of up to 6 bars. Moreover, the coating presents several advantages in terms of surface cleaning.

Stretchable and Self-Cleaning Daytime Radiative Coolers for Human Fabric and Building Applications.

Advancements in radiative cooling technology have shown significant progress in recent years. However, the limited mechanical properties of most radiative coolers greatly hinder their practical applications, particularly in the context of human cooling fabrics. In this study, we present the fabrication of facile and stretchable radiative coolers with exceptional cooling performance by utilizing the design of porous radiative coolers as guidelines for developing promising elastomer coolers. Subsequently, we employ a simple electrospinning method to fabricate these coolers, resulting in impressive solar reflectivity (∼96.1%) and infrared emissivity (over 95%). During the summer, these coolers demonstrate a maximum temperature drop of ∼9.6 °C. Additionally, the developed coolers exhibit superior hydrophobicity and mechanical properties, with a high strain capacity exceeding 700% and a stress tolerance of over 30 MPa, highlighting their potential for application in automobile textiles and cooling fabrics. Furthermore, we evaluate the radiative cooling performance of stretchable coolers using global-scale modeling, revealing their significant cooling potential across various regions worldwide.

Self-Cleaning Hydrophobic Coating Composed of Micro/Nano-Imprinted Polydimethylsiloxane with Enhanced Light In-Coupling Capabilities.

In this study, we have optimized optically transparent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hydrophobic coating on glass substrates that exhibit self-cleaning as well as enhanced light in-coupling capabilities. Micro/nano textures on the surface of PDMS were introduced through micro/nanoimprinting to achieve light trapping as well as self-cleaning abilities. Comprehensive studies show that the periodic arrangement of the micro/nanopatterned features has enabled enhanced inward transmission of light in the visible range along with superior hydrophobicity. The water contact angle (WCA) measurements on these coatings demonstrated a superior capacity for self-cleaning with a WCA of about 117°. Subsequently, when these transparent and hydrophobic coatings were deposited on commercial silicon solar cells, they showed a 15.8% increment in efficiency due to enhanced light in-coupling with a nanopatterned PDMS coating.

Transparent Superhydrophobic and Self-Cleaning Coating.

Surface roughness and low surface energy are key elements for the artificial preparation of biomimetic superhydrophobic materials. However, the presence of micro-/nanostructures and the corresponding increase in roughness can increase light scattering, thereby reducing the surface transparency. Therefore, designing and constructing superhydrophobic surfaces that combine superhydrophobicity with high transparency has been a continuous research focus for researchers and engineers. In this study, a transparent superhydrophobic coating was constructed on glass substrates using hydrophobic fumed silica (HF-SiO2) and waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as raw materials, combined with a simple spray-coating technique, resulting in a water contact angle (WCA) of 158.7 ± 1.5° and a sliding angle (SA) of 6.2 ± 1.8°. Characterization tests including SEM, EDS, LSCM, FTIR, and XPS revealed the presence of micron-scale protrusions and a nano-scale porous network composite structure on the surface. The presence of HF-SiO2 not only provided a certain roughness but also effectively reduced surface energy. More importantly, the coating exhibited excellent water-repellent properties, extremely low interfacial adhesion, self-cleaning ability, and high transparency, with the light transmittance of the coated glass substrate reaching 96.1% of that of the bare glass substrate. The series of functional characteristics demonstrated by the transparent superhydrophobic HF-SiO2@WPU coating designed and constructed in this study will play an important role in various applications such as underwater observation windows, building glass facades, automotive glass, and goggles.

White Roman Goose Feather-Inspired Unidirectionally Inclined Conical Structure Arrays for Switchable Anisotropic Self-Cleaning.

White Roman goose (Anser anser domesticus) feathers, comprised of oriented conical barbules, are coated with gland-secreted preening oils to maintain a long-term nonwetting performance for surface swimming. The geese are accustomed to combing their plumages with flat bills in case they are contaminated with oleophilic substances, during which the amphiphilic saliva spread over the barbules greatly impairs their surface hydrophobicities and allows the trapped contaminants to be anisotropically self-cleaned by water flows. Particularly, the superhydrophobic behaviors of the goose feathers are recovered as well. Bioinspired by the switchable anisotropic self-cleaning functionality of white Roman geese, superhydrophobic unidirectionally inclined conical structures are engineered through the integration of a scalable colloidal self-assembly technology and a colloidal lithographic approach. The dependence of directional sliding properties on the shape, inclination angle, and size of conical structures is systematically investigated in this research. Moreover, their switchable anisotropic self-cleaning functionalities are demonstrated by Sudan blue II/water (0.01%) separation performances. The white Roman goose feather-inspired coatings undoubtedly offer a new concept for developing innovative applications that require directional transportation and the collection of liquids.

A comparative study for ferro particles cloaking and wetting characteristics.

Ferro hydrophobic particles possess essential properties for controlling the behavior of suspended substances in water. By adjusting the concentration of these particles, the magnetic force within the fluid carrier can be modified, leading to the emergence of distinct flow structures and patterns on the water's surface. This study examines the cloaking phenomenon exhibited by different ferroparticle conditions, employing both experimental and numerical approaches. Under the magnetic influence, hydrophilic particles can attain cloaking velocities of up to 35 mm/s, while hydrophobic particles remain unaffected by the magnetic force, remaining suspended on the water's surface. Hydrophobization of ferroparticles not only decreases their water-cloaking ability but also alters their magnetic properties. The inherent hydrophobic nature of these particles enhances water surface stability, rendering them valuable in various applications, including biomedical and self-cleaning technologies. This research holds particular significance for manipulating suspended particles in water, particularly in biomedical applications like drug delivery and tissue engineering, as well as for advancing self-cleaning technologies.

Controllable self-cleaning FET self-assembled RNA-cleaving DNAzyme based DNA nanotree for culture-free Staphylococcus aureus detection.

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) poses a serious risk to human and animal health, necessitating a low-cost and high-performance analytical platform for point-of-care diagnostics. Cellulose paper-based field-effect transistors (FETs) with RNA-cleaving DNAzymes (RCDs) can fulfill the low-cost requirements, however, its high hydrophilicity and lipophilicity hinder biochemical modification and result in low sensitivity, poor mechanical stability and poor fouling performance. Herein, we proposed a controllable self-cleaning FET to simplify biochemical modification and improve mechanical stability and antifouling performance. Then, we constructed an RCD-based DNA nanotree to significantly enhance the sensitivity for SA detection. For controllable self-cleaning FET, 1 H,1 H,2 H,2 H-perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane based-polymeric nanoparticles were synthesized to decorate cellulose paper and whole carbon nanofilm wires. O2 plasma was applied to regulate to reduce fluorocarbon chain density, and then control the hydrophobic-oleophobic property in sensitive areas. Because negatively charged DNA affected the sensitivity of semiconducting FETs, three Y-shaped branches with low-cost were designed and applied to synthesize an RCD-based DNA-Nanotree based on similar DNA-origami technology, which further improved the sensitivity. The trunk of DNA-Nanotree was composed of RCD, and the canopy was self-assembled using multiple Y-shaped branches. The controllable self-cleaning FET biosensor was applied for SA detection without cultivation, which had a wide linear range from 1 to 105 CFU/mL and could detect a low value of 1 CFU/mL.

Design of carboxymethyl cellulose/alginate aerogels with anti-fouling and light-driven self-cleaning for enhanced oily wastewater remediation.

With the increase of oily wastewater discharge and the growing demand for clean water supply, high throughput green materials for oil-water separation with anti-pollution and self-cleaning ability are urgently needed. Herein, the polysaccharide-based composite aerogels of CMC/SA@TiO2-MWCNTs (CSTM) with fast photo-driven self-cleaning ability have been prepared by a simple freeze-drying and ionic cross-linking strategy. The introduction of TiO2 /MWCNTs nanocomposites effectively improves the underwater oleophobic and mechanical properties of polysaccharide aerogels and enables their photo-driven self-cleaning ability for efficient oil-water separation and purification of complex oily wastewater. For immiscible oil-water mixtures, a high separation flux of about 7650 L m-2 h-1 and a separation efficiency of up to 99.9 % was obtained. For surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion, a flux of 3952 L m-2 h-1 was achieved with a separation efficiency of up to 99.3 %. More importantly, the excellent photoluminescent self-cleaning ability and low oil adhesion contribute to the high contamination resistance, excellent reusability, and robust durability of CSTM aerogel. With the advantages of simple preparation, remarkable performance, and recyclability, this aerogel is expected to provide a green, economical, and scalable solution for the purification of oily wastewater.

Fabrication of multifunctional cotton fabrics with quaternized N-halamine endowing the synergetic rechargeable antibacterial, wound healing and self-cleaning performances.

Cotton has attracted considerable attention due to its functional characteristics. The focus of research on cotton has shifted in recent years towards designing multi-functional and modified media for cotton fibers, which can be firmly combined with textiles, giving them reusability and extending their service life. This study constructed a synergistic antibacterial layer of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and N-halamine (Hals) using an in-situ free radical copolymerization method in water, named QACs/Hals@cotton-Cl. The route significantly increases the number of antibacterial active centers. FTIR, XPS, and SEM were used to systematically analyze the product's chemical structure, surface morphology, and other characteristics. The modified fabric's antibacterial efficiency, wound healing, renewability, and durability were also evaluated. The chlorinated modified cotton fabric could completely eradicate S. aureus and E. coli within 10 min. Compared with pure cotton, it notably promoted the healing rate of infected wounds in mice. The modification method imparted excellent hydrophobicity to the cotton fabric, with a contact angle exceeding 130°, making it easy to remove surface stains. After 30 days of regular storage and 24 h of UV irradiation, the active chlorine concentration (Cl+%) only decreased by 25 % and 39 %, respectively, and the reduced Cl+% was effectively recharged via simple re-chlorination. The hydrophobicity and antimicrobial properties of QACs/Hals@cotton-Cl remained stable even after 20 cycles of friction. This simple synthesis technique provides a convenient approach for the scalable fabrication of multifunctional and rechargeable antibacterial textiles, with potential applications in medical devices and personal hygiene protection.

Efficient Self-cleaning and antibacterial ceramics with active sites fully exposed obtained from rare earth waste.

The utilization of rare earth polishing powder waste (RPW) to prepare antibacterial ceramics can effectively avoid problems of pollution in the recycling process and waste of rare earth resources. Herein, a novel RPW-based antibacterial ceramics was developed, which possesses the core-shell structure with ceramics as the cores and the CeO2/BiOCl as the superficial coating. The antibacterial ceramics display notable antibacterial activity, and the inactivation rates of 3.3 log under visible light irradiation in 30 min and 2.4 log under darkness in 1 h were achieved, and the zone of inhibition values was found to be 16.6 mm for E.coil. The hardness of antibacterial ceramics was measured to be 897 (±38) HV, higher than commercial porcelain's hardness (600 HV). The antibacterial mechanism was verified by the Ce ion release, reactive species, and fluorescence-based live/dead cells. This study presents a novel antibacterial ceramic structure and green economic reuse method of rare earth waste.

Construction of self-cleaning g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6/PVDF membrane and coupling with photo-Fenton-like reaction for sustainable removal of antibiotics in wastewater.

Constructing a photocatalytic membrane and photo-Fenton reaction coupling system is a novel strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the membrane and eliminate the problem of membrane contamination. Herein, a g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6/PVDF photocatalytic membrane was prepared using a tannic acid-assisted in-situ deposition method. The membrane was characterized by three advantages of photocatalytic, self-cleaning, and antibacterial properties. Under the photo-Fenton-like conditions, the membrane had superior photodegradation efficiency of 90.7% for tetracycline, one of the main antibiotic contaminants in the China's aquatic system. Moreover, the membrane had excellent photo-Fenton self-cleaning ability, its flux recovery rate was up to 96%-98% after the self-cleaning process. Photoluminescence spectra, diffuse UV-visible spectrum, transient photocurrent responses, and electrochemical AC impedance spectrum results show that the heterojunction structure formed by g-C3N4 and Bi2MoO6 could improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons-hole pairs. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy confirmed the photo-electrons facilitated the formation of hydroxyl radical (·OH) in the existence of H2O2, which enhanced tetracycline degradation. Moreover, the superior photo-Fenton self-cleaning performance, which mainly relied on the active free radicals produced by the photo-Fenton-like membrane to remove dirt on the membrane surface or in the membrane pore channel. Our results may shed new light on the development of promising photocatalytic membrane systems by coupling with photo-Fenton-like processes, and facilitate their applications for wastewater treatment.

Durable, Photostable Omniphobic Synthetic Leather Surfaces with Anti-Biofouling Properties for Hygienic Applications.

Globally, the public health domain is increasingly emphasizing the need for surfaces that can resist bacterial contamination, as the consumption of bacteria-infected substance may cause illnesses. Thus, this study aimed to modify polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather surfaces by coating their upper layer with fluorine-functionalized nano-silica particles (FNPs). This simple modification imparted omniphobic characteristics, realizing anti-biofouling and self-cleaning properties. The effectiveness in preventing bacterial adhesion was confirmed by the dip-inoculation method using Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Bacterial adhesion was evaluated based on bacterial counts using the pour plate method and by directly enumerating from scanning electron microscopy images. The attachment of bacteria to the modified omniphobic FNPs-coated PU leather surface decreased by over 98.2% compared to that on the bare surface. We expect that the method developed in this study will significantly reduce or even eliminate the potential risks associated with various biological cross-contamination scenarios, thereby enhancing hygiene standards.

Influence of the Addition of TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Self-Cleaning Capacity of Cementitious Composites.

This study evaluated the potential of incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles (NT) into cementitious composites to provide self-cleaning and self-sanitising properties, as well as the partial replacement of natural aggregates with recycled glass (RGA), ceramic brick (RBA), granulated blast furnace slag (GBA), and textolite waste (RTA) from electronic equipment on these properties. Based on the research results, the addition of NT to cementitious composites led to a significant reduction in contact angle, which means an increase in surface hydrophilicity. At the same time, Rhodamine B stain fading was highlighted, with the degree of whiteness recovery of NT composites exceeding that of the control by up to 11% for natural aggregate compositions, 10.6% for RGA compositions, 19.9% for RBA compositions, 15% for GBA compositions, and 13% for RTA compositions. In a mould-contaminated environment, it was shown that the introduction of NT allowed the material to develop a biocidal surface capacity which is also influenced by the nature of the aggregates used. Furthermore, the study revealed that, under controlled conditions, certain recycled waste aggregates, such as textolite, promoted mould growth, while others, such as brick and slag, inhibited it, highlighting not just the effect of the addition of NT, but also the significant influence of the aggregate type on the microbial resistance of cementitious composites. These improvements in the performance of cementitious composites are particularly advantageous when applied to prefabricated elements intended for the finishing and decorative surfaces of institutional (schools, administrative buildings, religious structures, etc.) or residential buildings.

Photocatalytically self-cleaning graphene oxide nanofiltration membranes reinforced with bismuth oxybromide for high-performance water purification.

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have emerged as promising candidates for water purification applications, owing to their unique physicochemical attributes. Nevertheless, the trade-off between permeability and selectivity, coupled with their vulnerability to membrane fouling, poses significant challenges to their widespread industrial deployment. In this study, we introduce an innovative in-situ growth and layer-by-layer assembly technique for fabricating multilayer GO membranes reinforced with bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) on commonly employed Nylon substrates. This method allows for the creation of two-dimensional lamellar membranes capable of photocatalytic self-cleaning and tunable nanochannel dimensions. The synthesized GO/BiOBr composite membranes exhibit remarkable water permeance rates (approximately 493.9 LMH/bar) and high molecular rejection efficiency (>99 % for Victoria Blue B and Congo Red dyes). Notably, these membranes showcase an enhanced photocatalytic self-cleaning performance upon exposure to visible light. Our work provides a viable route for the fabrication of functionalized GO-based nanofiltration membranes with BiOBr inclusions, offering a synergistic combination of high water permeability, modifiable nanochannels, and effective self-cleaning capabilities through photocatalysis.

Antireflective Superhydrophobic and Robust Coating Based on Chitin Nanofibers and Methylsilanized Silica for Outdoor Applications.

Antireflective coatings with superhydrophobicity have many outdoor applications, such as solar photovoltaic panels and windshields. In this study, we fabricated an omnidirectional antireflective and superhydrophobic coating with good mechanical robustness and environmental durability via the spin coating technique. The coating consisted of a layer of phytic acid (PA)/polyacrylamide (PAM)/calcium ions (Ca2+) (referred to as Binder), an antireflective layer composed of chitin nanofibers (ChNFs), and a hydrophobic layer composed of methylsilanized silica (referred to as Mosil). The transmittance of a glass slide with the Binder/ChNFs/Mosil coating had a 5.2% gain at a wavelength of 550 nm, and the antireflective coating showed a water contact angle as high as 160° and a water sliding angle of 8°. The mechanical robustness and environmental durability of the coating, including resistance to peeling, dynamic impact, chemical erosion, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and high temperature, were evaluated. The coating retained excellent antireflective capacity and self-cleaning performance in the harsh conditions. The increase in voltage per unit area of a solar panel with a Binder/ChNFs/Mosil coating reached 0.4 mV/cm2 compared to the solar panel exposed to sunlight with an intensity of 54.3 × 103 lx. This work not only demonstrates that ChNFs can be used as raw materials to fabricate antireflective superhydrophobic coatings for outdoor applications but also provides a feasible and efficient approach to do so.

Robust superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating prepared by silane modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A combined experimental and molecular dynamics study.

As a functional material, superhydrophobic coating has been widely studied in the field of self-cleaning. However, obtaining superhydrophobic coatings with robustness through simple preparation processes remains a challenge. In this paper, a robust superhydrophobic coating is prepared based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by octyltrimethoxysilane, and its performance and hydrophobic mechanism are studied by experiments and molecular dynamics simulation. The superhydrophobic coating is prepared by one-step spraying method. The coating is characterized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the properties of the coating are tested by experiments. Molecular dynamics simulation is used in the study to construct a molecular model system, and the molecular modification mechanism and coating wettability are simulated under the COMPASSII force field. The results show that octyltrimethoxysilane successfully modified carbon nanotubes, and the hydroxyl groups at the head of the molecular chain are bound to the surface of the carbon nanotubes in the form of hydrogen bonds, while the tail of the molecular chain is far away from the surface. After modification, the surface of carbon nanotubes changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The prepared superhydrophobic coating not only has excellent self-cleaning properties, but also exhibits corrosion resistance to acid and alkali solutions. The coating still has superhydrophobic when the wear length is in the range of 400 cm. It can be seen that a robust superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating is successfully prepared by a simple one-step spraying method. The modification mechanism and the hydrophobic mechanism of the coating were obtained by the combination of experiment and molecular dynamics simulation, which provided theoretical support for the superhydrophobic of the coating at the micro level.

Green Nanoengineered Fabrics: Waste-Derived Polyphenol-Zinc@ Silica Core-Shell Reactive Janus Nanoparticles for Functional Fabrics.

Fabricating Janus nanoparticle-functionalized fabrics with UV protection, strength enhancement, self-cleaning properties, and wash durability, with a biocompatible nature, is crucial in modern functional fabrics engineering. Particularly, tailoring multifunctional nanoparticles capable of exhibiting several distinct properties, utilizing low-cost raw materials, and adhering to green chemistry principles is pivotal. A fabrication strategy for developing multifunctional reactive Janus nanoparticles, utilizing waste-derived natural polyphenol (quercetin-3-glucuronide, myricetin-3-galactoside, gossypin, phlorizin, kaempferol, myricetin-3-arabinoside)-integrated zinc-silica core-shell Janus nanoparticles with UV protection, strength enhancement, and self-cleaning properties, is proposed. Polyphenols were utilized as sustainable precursors for synthesizing zinc-polyphenol complexes, which were then encapsulated within a silica shell to form a core-shell structure. Furthermore, Janus particles were created by introducing a bifunctional layer with half amine/carboxylic acid and half methyl terminals, imparting reactive hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Janus-coated textiles and leather exhibited significant attenuation of harmful UV radiation, with water contact angle measurements confirming improved water repellency. The coexistence of natural phenols and bifunctional groups within a material bolstered textile strength, fostering superior adhesion and markedly enhancing wash durability. This eco-friendly approach, utilizing waste-derived materials, presents a promising solution for sustainable textile engineering with enhanced performance in UV protection and water resistance, thereby contributing to the advancement of green nanotechnology in textile applications.

Sustainable and ultrafast antibiotics removal, self-cleaning and disinfection with electroactive metal-organic frameworks/carbon nanotubes membrane.

Although conventional nanofiltration (NF) membrane is widely applied in water treatment, it faces the challenges of insufficient selectivity toward emerging contaminants, low permeability and non-sustainable fouling control. Herein, a novel electroactive metal-organic frameworks/carbon nanotubes membrane was constructed by facile and green nanobubbles-mediated non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) strategy for ultrafast antibiotics removal. It presented 3-fold to 100-fold higher permeability (101.3-105.7 L·h-1·m-2·bar-1) without compromising rejection (71.8 %-99.3 %) of common antibiotics (tetracycline, norfloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine) than most commercial and state-of-the-art NF membranes. The separation mechanism was due to the synergy of loose selective layer with three-dimensional interconnected networks and UiO-66/CNTs with unique pore sieving and charge property. It also presented excellent antibiotics selectivity with high NaCl/tetracycline separation factor of 194 and CuCl2/tetracycline separation factor of 316 for remediation of antibiotics and heavy metal combined pollution. Meanwhile, it possessed efficient anti-fouling, antibacterial and electro-driven self-cleaning ability, which enabled sustainable fouling control and disinfection with short process, low energy and chemical consumption. Furthermore, potential application of UiO-66/CNTs membrane in wastewater reclamation was demonstrated by stable antibiotics rejection, efficient flux recovery and long-term stability over 260 h. This study would provide useful insights into removal of emerging contaminants from water by advanced NF membrane.

Bioinspired radiative cooling coating with high emittance and robust self-cleaning for sustainably efficient heat dissipation.

To overcome the overheating phenomena of electronic devices and energy components, developing advanced energy-free cooling coatings with promising radiative property seem an effective and energy-saving way. However, the further application of these coatings is greatly limited by their sustainability because of their fragile and easy contamination. Herein, it is reported that a bioinspired radiative cooling coating (BRCC) displayed sustainably efficient heat dissipation by the combination of high emittance and robust self-cleaning property. With the hierarchical porous structure constructed by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), modified SiO2 and fluorosilicone (FSi) resin, the involvement of the BRCC improves the cooling performance by increasing ≈25% total heat transfer coefficient. During the abrasion and soiling tests, the BRCC-coated Al alloy heat sink always displays stable radiative cooling performance. Moreover, the simulation and experimental results both revealed that reducing surface coverage of BRCC (≈80.9%) can still keep highly cooling efficiency, leading to a cost-effective avenue. Therefore, this study may guide the design and fabrication of advanced radiative cooling coating.