title: X-ray-induced changes in wettability.
abstract: We observed that hard X-ray irradiation modifies the wettability of a variety of inorganic materials. The smooth surfaces of all tested inorganic materials (ZnO, p-Si, Al2O3, SrTiO3, TiN, ZnS, CuO, Ag2O, and Cr2O3) change during irradiation to a state of superhydrophilic wettability, and such changes are explained by the accumulation of positive surface charges by photoelectron emission. The initial wettability state is re-established within several minutes of storage in deionized water.
authors.affiliation: X-ray Imaging Center, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Bum
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Byung Mook
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Weon
authors.forename: Kyu Hwang
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Jung Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Je
authors.forename: Yeukuang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hwu
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Margaritondo