Surface Wetting and Functionalization of Composite Films and Coatings for Modern Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Coatings with a multifunctional surface presenting hydrophobic and/or oleophobic characteristics have become a hot topic in modern engineering technology and science. This Special Issue is focused on numerous practical application fields, such as microfluidic devices, self-cleaning materials, oil–water separation technology, anti-fouling coatings, biomedical devices, and so on. The above-mentioned fields highly emphasize two aspects. One is the exploration of surface wettability regulation mechanisms to recognize the requirements under harsh working conditions. The other is the development of new superhydrophobic/superhydrophobic coatings with multifunctional capabilities.

The design, preparation, and characterization of high-performance superhydrophobic/superoleophobic coatings can be achieved through various strategies, including constructing micronano composite structures and/or regulating surface chemical composition, providing unprecedented opportunities and broad application prospects for droplet manipulation, anti-fouling, self-cleaning, and efficient oil–water separation in various liquid environments.

Topics of interest of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following research areas:

• Theoretical and experimental research, new discoveries, and new ideas on the wetting mechanisms of superhydrophobic/superhydrophobic coatings.
• The latest developments in multifunctional hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings, covering their applications in self-cleaning, anti-fouling, oil–water separation, microfluidic control, and other fields.
• Hydrophobic/rhydrophobic coatings prepared via different processes, including but not limited to, photolithography, chemical etching, sol–gel methods, template methods, spraying methods, electrochemical deposition, 3D printing, and additive manufacturing.
• A superhydrophobic/superoleophobic coating that can maintain excellent performance even under high temperature, high humidity, highly corrosive liquids, oily environments, and other extreme conditions.
• Research that facilitates a deeper understanding of the performance degradation mechanisms of coatings caused by droplet impact, friction, wear, chemical erosion, or long-term exposure to complex environments.

Dr. Bingfan Li
Prof. Dr. Tifeng Jiao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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