Covalent crosslinking chemistry for controlled modulation of nanometric roughness and surface free energy.

Smooth interfaces embedded with low surface free energy allow effortless sliding of beaded droplets of selected liquids-with homogeneous wettability. Such slippery interfaces display low or moderate contact angles, unlike other extremely liquid repellent interfaces ( superhydrophobic). These slippery interfaces emerged as a promising alternative to extremely liquid repellent hierarchically rough interfaces that generally suffer from instability under severe conditions, scattering of visible light because of the hierarchically rough interface, entrapment of fine solid particulates in their micro-grooves and so on.

The synthesis of a chemically reactive and polymeric luminescent gel.

In the past, chemically reactive polymeric interfaces have been considered to be of potential interest for developing functional materials for a wide range of practical applications. Furthermore, the rational incorporation of luminescence properties into such chemically reactive interfaces could provide a basis for extending the horizon of their prospective utility. In this report, a simple catalyst-free chemical approach is introduced to develop a chemically reactive and optically active polymeric gel.

Facile optimization of hierarchical topography and chemistry on magnetically active graphene oxide nanosheets.

Highly flexible and two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets have remained instrumental for developing different functional materials for practically relevant applications. In general, 2D GO is routinely assembled into different structures ( layered, porous, ) for achieving desired properties. However, a facile approach for modifying GO nanosheets with (1) hierarchical topography and (2) desired chemistry is rare in the literature.

Chemically reactive protein nanoparticles for synthesis of a durable and deformable superhydrophobic material.

The past few decades have witnessed significant development in the field of artificially biomimicking extremely water repellent interfaces, developed mostly through tedious synthetic processes using synthetic/non-biodegradable polymers and fluorinated derivatives rendering health and environment related hazards. Only a few approaches furnish superhydrophobic materials that can withstand different harsh environments. Here, in this current design, naturally abundant and biodegradable bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein nanoparticles and cotton fibers are rationally selected for environment-friendly green synthesis of a highly sustainable and deformable artificial superhydrophobic material through strategic association of facile and rapid Michael addition reactions between amine and acrylate moieties under ambient conditions without the aid of any catalyst.