Controlling Hydrophilicity and Hydrophobicity via Electron Beam-Assisted Coating Technology

Accurate regulation of surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity is crucial for various industrial applications, but current methods often lack stability, precision, and scalability. A team of scientists has introduced an electron beam irradiation (EBI)-assisted coating method that provides a reliable and scalable approach to control surface wetting properties. Their work is published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials on April 25th.

“Our study focuses on developing a scalable and reliable solution for controlling hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of surfaces,” says Haozhe Li, the first author from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. "Traditional methods like chemical modification and external stimulation often face challenges such as limited stability and precision, making it difficult to achieve the desired surface properties."

A significant advantage of our approach lies in the use of electron beam irradiation (EBI) as a green technology for coating modification. EBI operates at room temperature and provides ultra-fast curing without the need for chemical initiators or solvents. This method not only simplifies the coating process but also significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with conventional techniques. By enabling rapid crosslinking and functionalization, EBI meets the growing demand for sustainable manufacturing practices while maintaining high efficiency. The ability to achieve desired surface properties quickly and without harmful chemicals positions EBI as a transformative solution for various industrial applications.

In this study, the team employed electron beam irradiation (EBI) to enable rapid curing and precise control over surface properties, particularly through the use of thiol-ene click chemistry. This innovative approach allows for the simultaneous grafting of multiple monomers onto solid substrates, providing a high degree of control over the grafting process. By adjusting the ratios of different monomers, researchers can tailor the resulting surface properties with exceptional accuracy, making EBI a powerful method for creating customized coatings. Furthermore, EBI operates at room temperature and provides ultra-fast curing without the need for chemical initiators or solvents, significantly simplifying the modification process and minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional coating methods. “By adjusting the grafting rates and loading ratios of the monomers, we can reliably and reproducibly control surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity,” explains Li, highlighting the method's potential for diverse applications, including biomedical engineering, where controlled surface interactions are essential.

The most critical insight from the study is that the EBI-assisted method offers a scalable, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient process for coating modification. The ability to adjust contact angles from 50° to 155° using a wide range of vinyl monomers highlights the flexibility of this approach in customizing surface properties. The simplicity of the process, which does not require chemical initiators or high temperatures, makes it especially suited for industrial applications.

Looking ahead, the research team aims to refine the relationship between the electron beam irradiation process and chemical formulations. “We plan to establish a more precise control over the grafting and curing stages, with the ultimate goal of expanding the functionality of these coatings for broader industrial uses,” says Li. This could lead to new developments in areas like anti-pollution coatings, heat transfer systems, and liquid separation technologies.

The research team includes Haozhe Li, Keyan Sheng, Zhiyan Chen, Shuai Hao, Zijian Zhou, Zhenyi Zhang, Xinwen Liu, Mianzhi Xiong, Yanlong Gu, Jiang Huang from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

This research is funded by Program for HUST Academic Frontier Youth Team (2019QYTD06) and Natural Science Foundation of Wuhan.

Industrial Chemistry & Materials is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary academic journal published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) with APCs currently waived. Icm publishes significant innovative research and major technological breakthroughs in all aspects of industrial chemistry and materials, especially the important innovation of the low-carbon chemical industry, energy, and functional materials.