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.

The application of superhydrophobic (SH) coatings in road construction has attracted growing attention due to their potential to improve surface durability, reduce cracking, and enhance skid resistance. Among various materials, SiO₂ nanoparticles have emerged as key components in SH coatings by contributing essential surface roughness and hydrophobicity. This review paper analyzes the role of SiO₂ nanoparticles in enhancing the water-repellent properties of coatings applied to road surfaces, particularly concrete and asphalt. Emphasis is placed on their influence on road longevity, reduced maintenance, and overall performance under adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, this review compares functionalization techniques for SiO₂ using different hydrophobic modifiers, evaluating their efficiency, cost effectiveness, and scalability for large-scale infrastructure. In addition to highlighting recent advancements, this study discusses persistent challenges—including environmental compatibility, mechanical wear, and long-term durability—that must be addressed for practical implementation. By offering a critical assessment of current approaches and future prospects, this short review aims to guide the development of robust, high-performance SH coatings for sustainable road construction.

This study presents the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of stearic-acid-coated sand (SACS) as a superhydrophobic material for agricultural water management applications. The fabrication process involves coating silica sand particles with stearic acid in an ethanol-based solution, followed by controlled drying to achieve a stable and uniform hydrophobic layer. Structural, chemical, and physical characterizations confirmed the successful functionalization of the sand surface. The coated sand exhibited a high water contact angle (WCA > 150°), indicating strong water repellency and potential for reducing water loss in soil systems. Experimental results demonstrated enhanced moisture retention in SACS-treated soil, prolonging water availability by up to four additional days compared to untreated samples. Despite its promising performance, potential degradation under acidic or organic solvent exposure remains a concern for long-term application. Overall, this work presents SACS as a low-cost, scalable solution to improve water conservation in dry agricultural areas, supporting sustainable farming practices.

Thin films of nickel oxide (NiO) were deposited on a 5° miscut magnesium oxide (MgO)(100) substrate using electron-beam evaporation to pursue morphology-directed resistive switching. The atomic force microscope (AFM) confirmed a stepped surface with a terrace width of ~85 nm and a step height of ~7 nm. After deposition, the film resistance decreased from 200 MΩ to 25 MΩ by annealing under ambient air at 400 °C, attributed to the increase in the p-type conductivity through nickel vacancy formation. Top electrodes of Ag (500 nm width, 180 nm gap) were patterned parallel or perpendicular to the substrate steps using UV and electron-beam lithography. Devices aligned parallel to the step showed reproducible unipolar switching with 100% yield between forming voltages 20–70 V and HRS/LRS~10² at ±5 V. In contrast, devices formed perpendicular to the steps (8/8) subsequently failed catastrophically during electroforming, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showing breakdown holes on the order of ~100 nm at the step crossings. The anisotropic electrodynamic response is due to step-guided electric field distribution and directional nickel vacancy migration, illustrating how substrate morphology can deterministically influence filament nucleation. These results highlighted stepped MgO as a template to engineer the anisotropic charge transport of NiO, exhibiting a reliable ReRAM as well as directional electrocatalysis for energy applications.

The structural evolution of Fe monolayers deposited on a Pt(110) surface was investigated under ultra-high vacuum conditions using scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy. A clean Pt(110) substrate exhibiting the characteristic (1×2) missing-row reconstruction was prepared by repeated cycles of argon ion sputtering, oxidation, and high-temperature annealing. Surface cleanliness and reconstruction were confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction, while scanning tunneling microscopy imaging revealed an anisotropic terrace–step morphology with atomic rows characteristic of the reconstructed Pt(110) surface. Fe monolayers were subsequently deposited on the clean substrate at room temperature by electron-beam evaporation. Auger electron spectroscopy measurements confirmed the presence of iron on the surface, together with minor carbon and oxygen contamination. Low-energy electron diffraction patterns recorded after Fe deposition showed a noticeable modification of the substrate diffraction features, indicating partial suppression of the original Pt(110)-(1×2) reconstruction. In addition, a sixfold diffraction feature observed at higher electron energy suggests the formation of an ordered overlayer or Moiré-type superstructure arising from the lattice mismatch between Fe and Pt(110). These results provide insight into the growth behavior and interface structure of Fe monolayers on reconstructed Pt(110), and establish a basis for future studies of iron oxide formation and redox transformations on this surface.