Reversible UV-light-induced ultrahydrophobic-to-ultrahydrophilic transition in an alpha-Fe2O3 nanoflakes film.
We describe a simple and robust approach to fabricating an alpha-Fe2O3 switchable surface. The hydrophobicity of alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructures was observed for the first time. A remarkable surface wettability transition can be easily achieved by ultraviolet (UV) illumination. The distinctive properties of surface defects are disclosed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The nanoscale adsorption and photocatalytic properties of Fe2+ defects account for the highly amphiphilic character of the surfaces. We believe that the experiment will further the molecular-scale understanding and manipulation of the wetting behavior on smart devices.
Yan
Bin
B
Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
Tao
Junguang
J
Pang
Christina
C
Zheng
Zhe
Z
Shen
Zexiang
Z
Huan
Cheng Hon Alfred
CH
Yu
Ting
T