Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized by chemically reducing graphene oxide (GO) using a reducing agent. The product, rGO, showed excellent hydrophobicity, as indicated by its high-water contact angle, which was greater than 150°. Characterizations using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the composition and structural differences between GO and the superhydrophobic rGO material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that GO particles exhibited a plate-like morphology with layers of stacked plates, while rGO displayed fewer stacks that show a more separated structure of layers. The increasing demand for superhydrophobic materials in advanced materials industries, due to their potential to enhance performance, durability, and safety, makes rGO a promising candidate for use in composite materials.

This study has demonstrated, for the first time, the potential application of coatings to protect bricks or architectures against detrimental atmospheric effects via a self-cleaning approach. In this research, a facile fabrication method was developed to produce amorphous SiO₂ particles and their hierarchical structures via applying trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). They were fully characterized by various surface analytic tools, including a goniometer, SEM, AFM, zeta sizer, and a spectroscopic technique (FTIR), and then applied as super hydrophobic coatings on glass and sand. The characterization results revealed that the SiO₂ particles are amorphous, quasi-spherical particles with an average diameter of 250–300 nm, and the hierarchical structures in the film were assembled from building blocks of SiO₂ and TMCS. The wettability of the films can be controlled by changing the pH of the SiO₂/TCMS dispersion. A super hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of 165° ± 1° was achieved at the isoelectric point of the films. The obtained translucent super hydrophobic SiO₂/TMCS coatings show good self-cleaning performances for glass and sand as construction materials. This study indicated that the superhydrophobic coatings may have potential applications in the protection of buildings and construction architectures in the future.

Silica-based superhydrophobic coating boosts road durability and safety, achieving 161° WCA with rapid application, minimizing water-related degradation.

This study investigates the development of superhydrophobic coatings on microfiber surfaces, with a specific focus on cotton, tweed, felt, and polyester fabrics. The resulting coatings demonstrated significant hydrophobicity, with water contact angles ranging from 128.5° for polyester to 148.9° for tweed. In addition, this investigation delves into the influence of pH levels on water contact angles, revealing notable fluctuations; specifically, higher pH levels resulted in decreased contact angles. The results indicated that the tweed fabric had the highest water contact angle at 151.7°, observed at a pH of 4. This study not only underscores the effective hydrophobic performance of these coatings but also highlights their practical applications. In particular, the research demonstrates the potential use of superhydrophobic coatings in the construction of traditional Kazakh ui (yurts), especially emphasizing the promising water repellency properties of felt fibers. Furthermore, this research illustrates a promising approach for producing superhydrophobic coatings on various microfiber surfaces, underlining their extensive potential applications within the textile industry. Overall, the findings suggest that the innovative use of superhydrophobic coatings can significantly enhance the water resistance of traditional and modern fabrics, paving the way for their broader application in various industries, including outdoor textiles and protective clothing.

This study discusses the results of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition synthesis of GaN on sapphire and silicon substrates using specific parameters: a forward output voltage of 150 watts, a N2gas flow rate of 60 standard cubic centimeters per minute, a chamber pressure of 2.48 mmHg, and a synthesis time of 2hours. Characterization by scanning electron microscope, Raman and energy dispersive X-ray revealed the non-stoichiometric formation of GaN, with Ga clearly predominating in the composition. scanning electron microscope analysis of the substrate surface morphology revealed the presence of small islands, which are considered to be the first step in the chemical vapor deposition process. The research also examinedthe effects of incorporating GaN into the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells. The study investigated the optimal amount of GaN powder in the TiO2matrix. The initial experiments used commercial GaN powder to determine the optimal weight percentage. Four different weight percentages (wt%) 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30wt % and 40 wt% GaN were selected for the study. Among them, the 20 wt% GaN had the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.75%. The fill factor values showed a tendency to decrease as the weight fraction of GaN increased.