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Facile Synthesis and Self‐Cleaning Application of Bimetallic (CuSn, CuNi) Dendrites
Author(s) -
Biswas Anupam,
Kulkarni Mayuresh A.,
Bakthavatsalam Rangarajan,
Mondal Sourik,
Dwivedi Pravin K.,
Shelke Manjusha V.,
Devi Radhamonyamma N.,
Banpurkar Arun G.,
Kundu Janardan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201700763
Subject(s) - bimetallic strip , materials science , alloy , surface roughness , nanotechnology , contact angle , nanoparticle , surface finish , metallurgy , fabrication , composite material , metal , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Bimetallic dendrites (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd) have received intense research interest due to their applications in catalysis and sensing. However, reports on rational synthesis of non‐noble bimetallic dendrites that finds self‐cleaning applications are scanty. Here, we demonstrate one step co‐reduction based galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) for synthesis of alloyed bimetallic dendrites (CuSn, CuNi) with controlled surface roughness and chemical composition. Probing their growth process reveals that i) for CuSn dendrites, co‐reduction of Cu 2+ and Sn 2+ is observed throughout GRR; ii) for CuNi dendrites, Cu nanoparticle, that deposits initially, augments the reduction of Ni 2+ which leads to CuNi alloy phase formation during later stages of GRR. These dendrites, naturally having dual degree of surface roughness (micro/nano), have been exploited here for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) with excellent self‐cleaning abilities. They show enabling properties such as high contact angle, minimal contact angle hysteresis, and excellent Cassie state stability with no impalement. They maintain superhydrophobicity when exposed to different environmental conditions (low temperature, high temperature, exposure to corroding solutions and UV radiation). The present facile methodology for fabrication of bimetallic dendrites is beneficial for low‐cost production of functional nano/micro‐materials.