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Välisalmi T, Roas-Escalona N, Meinander K, Mohammadi P, Linder MB. Highly Hydrophobic Films of Engineered Silk Proteins by a Simple Deposition Method. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:4370-4381. [PMID: 36926896 PMCID: PMC10061925 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Molecular engineering of protein structures offers a uniquely versatile route for novel functionalities in materials. Here, we describe a method to form highly hydrophobic thin films using genetically engineered spider silk proteins. We used structurally engineered protein variants containing ADF3 and AQ12 spider silk sequences. Wetting properties were studied using static and dynamic contact angle measurements. Solution conditions and the surrounding humidity during film preparation were key parameters to obtain high hydrophobicity, as shown by contact angles in excess of 120°. Although the surface layer was highly hydrophobic, its structure was disrupted by the added water droplets. Crystal-like structures were found at the spots where water droplets had been placed. To understand the mechanism of film formation, different variants of the proteins, the topography of the films, and secondary structures of the protein components were studied. The high contact angle in the films demonstrates that the conformations that silk proteins take in the protein layer very efficiently expose their hydrophobic segments. This work reveals a highly amphiphilic nature of silk proteins and contributes to an understanding of their assembly mechanisms. It will also help in designing diverse technical uses for recombinant silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teemu Välisalmi
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Nelmary Roas-Escalona
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Kristoffer Meinander
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Limited (VTT), FI-02044 Espoo, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Markus B. Linder
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
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Nanoimprinted and Anodized Templates for Large-Scale and Low-Cost Nanopatterning. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11123430. [PMID: 34947779 PMCID: PMC8707581 DOI: 10.3390/nano11123430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nanopatterning to fabricate advanced nanostructured materials is a widely employed technology in a broad spectrum of applications going from spintronics and nanoelectronics to nanophotonics. This work reports on an easy route for nanopatterning making use of ordered porous templates with geometries ranging from straight lines to square, triangular or rhombohedral lattices, to be employed for the designed growth of sputtered materials with engineered properties. The procedure is based on large-scale nanoimprinting using patterned low-cost commercial disks, as 1-D grating stamps, followed by a single electrochemical process that allows one to obtain 1-D ordered porous anodic templates. Multiple imprinting steps at different angles enable more complex 2-D patterned templates. Subsequently, sputtering facilitates the growth of ferromagnetic antidot thin films (e.g., from 20 to 100 nm Co thick layers) with designed symmetries. This technique constitutes a non-expensive method for massive mold production and pattern generation avoiding standard lithographical techniques. In addition, it overcomes current challenges of the two-stage electrochemical porous anodic alumina templates: (i) allowing the patterning of large areas with high ordering and/or complex antidot geometries, and (ii) being less-time consuming.
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Barick BK, Shomrat N, Green U, Katzman Z, Segal-Peretz T. Fabrication of Nanoscale Oxide Textured Surfaces on Polymers. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13132209. [PMID: 34279353 PMCID: PMC8271387 DOI: 10.3390/polym13132209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoscale textured surfaces play an important role in creating antibacterial surfaces, broadband anti-reflective properties, and super-hydrophobicity in many technological systems. Creating nanoscale oxide textures on polymer substrates for applications such as ophthalmic lenses and flexible electronics imposes additional challenges over conventional nanofabrication processes since polymer substrates are typically temperature-sensitive and chemically reactive. In this study, we investigated and developed nanofabrication methodologies to create highly ordered oxide nanostructures on top of polymer substrates without any lithography process. We developed suitable block copolymer self-assembly, sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), and reactive ion etching (RIE) for processes on polymer substrates. Importantly, to prevent damage to the temperature-sensitive polymer and polymer/oxide interface, we developed the process to be entirely performed at low temperatures, that is, below 80 °C, using a combination of UV crosslinking, solvent annealing, and modified SIS and RIE processes. In addition, we developed a substrate passivation process to overcome reactivity between the polymer substrate and the SIS precursors as well as a high precision RIE process to enable deep etching into the thermally insulated substrate. These methodologies widen the possibilities of nanofabrication on polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barun K. Barick
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (B.K.B.); (N.S.)
| | - Neta Shomrat
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (B.K.B.); (N.S.)
| | - Uri Green
- Shamir Optical Industry Ltd., Kibbutz Shamir, Upper Galilee 1213500, Israel; (U.G.); (Z.K.)
| | - Zohar Katzman
- Shamir Optical Industry Ltd., Kibbutz Shamir, Upper Galilee 1213500, Israel; (U.G.); (Z.K.)
| | - Tamar Segal-Peretz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (B.K.B.); (N.S.)
- Correspondence:
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High Transmittance Superhydrophobic Coatings with Durable Self-Cleaning Properties. COATINGS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings11050493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the most important factors determining a significant reduction in optical devices’ efficiency is the accumulation of soiling substances such as dust, which, especially in solar power plants, implies higher costs and materials ageing. The use of superhydrophobic (SH) coatings, water contact angle (CA) greater than 150°, represents a suitable solution to improve the self-cleaning action while at the same time providing high transmittance for energy conversion. A mixed organic–inorganic SH coating with surface roughness below 100 nm was prepared by an easily scalable spray method and employed, allowing us to modulate the covered area and transparency. The coating has been also investigated while simulating pollution agents like acid rain, harsh environments, and the impact of continuous water droplets and dust particles with different physicochemical properties. The spray coating method allows us to obtain a modulated SH and self-cleaning surface showing CA > 170°, high transmittance in UV-Vis range and the ability to completely restore its initial properties in terms of wettability and transmittance after durability and soiling tests.
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Ferrari M, Cirisano F. High transmittance and highly amphiphobic coatings for environmental protection of solar panels. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 286:102309. [PMID: 33166725 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work the authors review the recent literature related to new solutions to prepare coatings with amphiphobic properties in order to provide self-maintaining systems able to limit the human intervention especially in large plants or harsh environments or, generally speaking, to keep the original functionalities of a solar module. Amphiphobic coatings match the requirements preventing both water and oil based pollutants from dust accumulation to natural and urban aerosols, from agriculture dispersions to bird droppings. The increasing need of renewable energy requires this step to be seriously faced with the aim to increase the yield and decrease the modules degradation. Still many issues have to be overcome and here we focus on surface aspects of aging and possible maintenance of the optical features of a solar panel.
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Tran VT, Nguyen HQ, Kim YM, Ok G, Lee J. Photonic-Plasmonic Nanostructures for Solar Energy Utilization and Emerging Biosensors. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E2248. [PMID: 33198391 PMCID: PMC7696832 DOI: 10.3390/nano10112248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Issues related to global energy and environment as well as health crisis are currently some of the greatest challenges faced by humanity, which compel us to develop new pollution-free and sustainable energy sources, as well as next-generation biodiagnostic solutions. Optical functional nanostructures that manipulate and confine light on a nanometer scale have recently emerged as leading candidates for a wide range of applications in solar energy conversion and biosensing. In this review, recent research progress in the development of photonic and plasmonic nanostructures for various applications in solar energy conversion, such as photovoltaics, photothermal conversion, and photocatalysis, is highlighted. Furthermore, the combination of photonic and plasmonic nanostructures for developing high-efficiency solar energy conversion systems is explored and discussed. We also discuss recent applications of photonic-plasmonic-based biosensors in the rapid management of infectious diseases at point-of-care as well as terahertz biosensing and imaging for improving global health. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future prospects associated with the existing solar energy conversion and biosensing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Tan Tran
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Materials Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (V.T.T.); (H.-Q.N.)
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Phenikaa University, Hanoi 12116, Vietnam
| | - Huu-Quang Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Materials Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (V.T.T.); (H.-Q.N.)
| | - Young-Mi Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea;
| | - Gyeongsik Ok
- Research Group of Consumer Safety, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju 55365, Korea;
| | - Jaebeom Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Materials Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (V.T.T.); (H.-Q.N.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea;
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Vertically Arranged Zinc Oxide Nanorods as Antireflection Layer for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell: A Simulation Study of Photovoltaic Properties. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10176062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the unique antireflection (AR) layer of vertically arranged ZnO nanorods (NRs) on crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells and studies the charge transport and photovoltaic properties by simulation. The vertically arranged ZnO NRs were deposited on ZnO-seeded c-Si wafers by a simple low-temperature solution process. The lengths of the ZnO NRs were optimized by changing the reaction times. Highly dense and vertically arranged ZnO NRs were obtained over the c-Si wafer when the reaction time was 5 h. The deposited ZnO NRs on the c-Si wafers exhibited the lowest reflectance of ~7.5% at 838 nm, having a reasonable average reflectance of ~9.5% in the whole wavelength range (400–1000 nm). Using PC1D software, the charge transport and photovoltaic properties of c-Si solar cells were explored by considering the lengths of the ZnO NRs and the reflectance values. The 1.1 μm length of the ZnO NRs and a minimum average reflectance of 9.5% appeared to be the optimum values for achieving the highest power conversion efficiency of 14.88%. The simulation study for the vertically arranged ZnO NRs AR layers clearly reflects that the low-temperature deposited ZnO NRs on c-Si solar cells could pose a greater prospect in the manufacturing of low-cost c-Si solar cells.
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Wang L, Li L, Liu Y, Wang S, Cai H, Jin H, Tang Q, Sun W, Yang D. The preparation and characterization of uniform nanoporous structure on glass. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:192029. [PMID: 32874608 PMCID: PMC7428243 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.192029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A novel fabrication method of uniform porous structures on the glass surface is proposed. The hydrofluoric acid fog formed by air-jet atomization etches the glass surface to fabricate nanoporous structure (NPS) on glass surface. This NPS shows the enhanced average light transmittance of approximately 92.9% and the superhydrophilic property with a contact angle less than 1° which presents an excellent anti-fog property. Passivated by fluorosilane, the NPS shows nearly the superhydrophobic property with a contact angle of 141.2°. This fabrication method has shown promising application prospects due to its simplicity, low cost and efficiency, which can be easily applied to large-scale industrial production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
| | - Likai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
| | - Youbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Jin
- Zhejiang JinkoSolar Co., Ltd., Jiaxing 314416, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingwen Tang
- Bengbu Institute of Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Research, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Bengbu Institute of Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Research, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Deren Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
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Malinowski C, He F, Zhao Y, Chang I, Hatchett DW, Zhai S, Zhao H. Nanopatterned silk fibroin films with high transparency and high haze for optical applications. RSC Adv 2019; 9:40792-40799. [PMID: 35540040 PMCID: PMC9076258 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07391d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simultaneous high transparency and high haze are necessary for high-efficiency optical, photonic, and optoelectronic applications. However, a typical highly transparent film lacks high optical haze or vice versa. Here, we report a silk fibroin-based optical film that exhibits both ultrahigh optical transparency (>93%) and ultrahigh optical transmission haze (>65%). Also, in combination with the soft lithography method, different nanostructured silk fibroin films are presented and their optical properties are characterized as well. To demonstrate its exceptional performance in both high transmission and high optical haze, we combine the silk fibroin with the silicon photodiode and show that the efficiency can be increased by 6.96% with the silk fibroin film without patterns and 14.9% with the nanopatterned silk fibroin film. Silk provides excellent mechanical, optical, and electrical properties, and the reported high-performance silk fibroin can enable the development of next-generation biocompatible eco-friendly flexible electronic and optical devices. Nanopatterned silk fibroin-based optical films exhibit both ultrahigh optical transparency and ultrahigh optical transmission haze.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Malinowski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
| | - Fengjie He
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
| | - Yihong Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
| | - Ivan Chang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
| | - David W. Hatchett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
| | - Shengjie Zhai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- University of Nevada
- Las Vegas
- USA
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Multifunctional Hierarchical Surface Structures by Femtosecond Laser Processing. MATERIALS 2018; 11:ma11050789. [PMID: 29757240 PMCID: PMC5978166 DOI: 10.3390/ma11050789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hierarchical surface structures were fabricated on fused silica by using a fs-laser with a pulse duration τ = 300 fs and a wavelength λ = 512 nm. The resulting surface structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and white light interference microscopy. The optical properties were analyzed by transmittance measurements using an integrating sphere and the wettability was evaluated by measuring the water contact angle θ. The silanization of structured fused silica surfaces with trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane allows to switch the wettability from superhydrophilic (θ = 0°) to superhydrophobic behavior with θ exceeding 150°. It was shown that the structured silica surfaces are a suitable master for negative replica casting and that the hierarchical structures can be transferred to polystyrene. The transmittance of structured fused silica surfaces decreases only slightly when compared to unstructured surfaces, which results in high transparency of the structured samples. Our findings facilitate the fabrication of transparent glass samples with tailored wettability. This might be of particular interest for applications in the fields of optics, microfluidics, and biomaterials.
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Vasilev K, Ramiasa MM. Nanoengineered Interfaces, Coatings, and Structures by Plasma Techniques. NANOMATERIALS 2017; 7:nano7120449. [PMID: 29244713 PMCID: PMC5746939 DOI: 10.3390/nano7120449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krasimir Vasilev
- School of Engineering, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia.
| | - Melanie Macgregor Ramiasa
- School of Engineering, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia.
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