{"title":"Electronic structure modulation of p-n type CeO2/Eu-CN heterojunction system: efficient promotion of photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline","authors":"Morigejile Liu, Xiang Fu, Jianwei Zhao, Siqin Zhao, Ying Shi, Wen Dusu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164757","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164757","url":null,"abstract":"Antibiotic pollution seriously damages the ecological balance of the water environment. Efficient degradation of excessive antibiotics in water is worth further exploration. Photocatalytic antibiotic degradation not only makes full use of solar energy, but also exhibits high degradation efficiency and no by-product generation. In this paper, a novel <em>y</em>CeO<sub>2</sub>/5Eu-CN photocatalyst with a <em>p</em>-<em>n</em> heterojunction was successfully synthesized by solid-phase methodology, which can effectively photodegrade the antibiotic tetracycline under visible light. Firstly, rare earth Eu ions were doped into the layered g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> prepared by melamine calcination, and then combined with CeO<sub>2</sub> to obtain the effective composite photocatalyst 0.3CeO<sub>2</sub>/5Eu-CN. Catalytic exploration indicates that it can effectively photodegrade tetracycline antibiotics with a degradation of 94.0 %, and is recycled three times without loss of photoactivity. Control experiments show 5Eu-CN photocatalyst possesses abundant hole states with a certain width and DOS distribution of VBM through the hybridization of N 2p and Eu 3d, which not only provides more active sites but also exhibits a unique very narrow energy band structure, showing <em>p</em>-type semiconductor characteristics. In addition, 5Eu-CN photocatalyst composites with the <em>n</em>-type semiconductor CeO<sub>2</sub> to form the <em>p</em>-<em>n</em> heterojunction 0.3CeO<sub>2</sub>/5Eu-CN. The composite structure efficiently promoted the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers by utilizing the different energy bands of the two semiconductors, significantly suppressing electron-hole pair complexation and enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency. Theoretical calculation also reveals the charge transfer and interaction at the <em>p</em>-<em>n</em> heterojunction interface. This work has achieved innovation in the entire chain of “material design structure – optimization − mechanism elucidation”, providing clearer ideas and theoretical basis for the design of high-performance <em>p-n</em> heterojunction photocatalysts.","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145255289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liwen Shen, Jingjing Jiang, Jun Liu, Feiya Fu, Hongyan Diao, Xiangdong Liu
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Cotton fabrics with antibacterial and antiviral properties produced by a simple pad-dry-cure process using diphenolic acid”. [Appl. Surf. Sci. 600 (2022) 154152]","authors":"Liwen Shen, Jingjing Jiang, Jun Liu, Feiya Fu, Hongyan Diao, Xiangdong Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164859","url":null,"abstract":"The authors regret < The images for the Fig. 5b (Co-DPA 0.6 %, Co-DPA 0.8 % and Co-DPA1.0 % against <em>S. aureus</em>) were inadvertently misused. This error occurred during the figure preparation process and was not detected prior to publication. The correct Fig. 5 is this:<span><figure><span><img alt=\"\" height=\"436\" src=\"https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0169433225025759-fx1.jpg\"/><ol><li><span><span>Download: <span>Download high-res image (430KB)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span>Download: <span>Download full-size image</span></span></span></li></ol></span></figure></span>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"114 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145260721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhenfei Fu , Wenmei Ma , Shiwen Du , Shilong Suo , Yuanyuan Li , Ziwu Han , Yumin Wang , Jiapeng Fang , Hu Xu , Pengfei Fang
{"title":"Regulating carrier transport in dual Z-scheme heterojunction KNbO3/MoSe2/Zn2In2S5 by dual piezoelectric polarization electric field","authors":"Zhenfei Fu , Wenmei Ma , Shiwen Du , Shilong Suo , Yuanyuan Li , Ziwu Han , Yumin Wang , Jiapeng Fang , Hu Xu , Pengfei Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reasonable design of heterojunction is a rational way to boost charge separation and piezo-photocatalytic performance of semiconductors. Herein, a dual Z-scheme KNbO<sub>3</sub>/MoSe<sub>2</sub>/Zn<sub>2</sub>In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>5</sub> (KMZIS) heterojunction was synthesized, in which KNbO<sub>3</sub> and MoSe<sub>2</sub> provide piezoelectricity, and Zn<sub>2</sub>In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>5</sub> offers photoactivity. UV–Vis DRS, Mott–Schottky plots, and DFT calculations confirmed the existence of two co-directional built-in electric fields, which respectively enhanced the accumulation of photogenerated electrons and holes on the conduction band of Zn<sub>2</sub>In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>5</sub> and the valence band of KNbO<sub>3</sub>, respectively, enabling the heterojunction to exhibit stronger redox capabilities under illumination. Under mechanical vibration, the maximum piezoelectric current density of KMZIS-25 can reach up to 26.7 µA /cm<sup>2</sup>, which is 1.7 and 2.6 times higher than that of KNbO<sub>3</sub>/MoSe<sub>2</sub> and MoSe<sub>2</sub>/Zn<sub>2</sub>In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>5</sub>, respectively. Under the synergistic piezoelectric–photoelectric coupling effect, KMZIS-25 exhibits a TCH degradation rate constant of 60.53 × 10<sup>-2</sup> min<sup>−1</sup>, a H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> yield of 64.70 mmol·h<sup>−1</sup>·g<sup>−1</sup>, and a H<sub>2</sub> evolution rate of 37.12 mmol·h<sup>−1</sup>·g<sup>−1</sup>, which are 4.6, 4.4, and 4.1 times higher than photocatalysis alone, and 3.8, 3.1, and 2.7 times higher than piezocatalysis alone. This indicates that the bi-piezoelectric field synergistically accelerates charge transfer in KMZIS, thereby significantly improving the catalytic performance of heterojunction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"718 ","pages":"Article 164826"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145255213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Direct upcycling of spent lithium-ion battery cathodes to efficient water oxidation catalysts","authors":"Yuheng Guo , Min Yue , Chao Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164867","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Addressing the dual challenges of sustainable energy conversion and battery waste management, this work develops a mechanochemistry-assisted strategy to upcycle spent lithium-ion battery cathodes. The approach directly converts them into highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. Through controlled reconstruction, the cathode material becomes a defect-rich transition metal hydroxide phase with abundant charge transfer states. The resulting catalyst shows excellent OER performance, which achieves a low overpotential of 253 mV at 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup><sub>geo</sub> and maintains high stability in alkaline media. In situ Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveal that the high activity comes from dynamically formed NiOOH species during operation condition. Meanwhile, the stable Co/Mn coordination and inherent defects ensure long-term durability. Compared with conventional Ni(OH)<sub>2</sub>, the restructured catalyst exhibits better structural integrity under prolonged operation. This study presents a novel strategy for battery reclamation and the design of cost-effective, high-performance electrocatalysts for water splitting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"718 ","pages":"Article 164867"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145255285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaodong Jia, Lv Zhao, Jinpeng Cai, Peilun Shen, Dianwen Liu
{"title":"Microstructural characteristics and reaction mechanism of ammonium sulfate-promoted cuprite sulfidation","authors":"Xiaodong Jia, Lv Zhao, Jinpeng Cai, Peilun Shen, Dianwen Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164851","url":null,"abstract":"With the depletion of copper sulfide resources, efficient flotation technologies for low-grade copper oxides such as cuprite have garnered considerable attention. Due to the good hydrophobicity exhibited by copper sulfide, sulfidation is generally required for the flotation of cuprite. Meanwhile, ammonium sulfide ((NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>) has been widely used as an activator in the sulfidation flotation of cuprite. However, the mechanism through which (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> enhances the sulfidation effect remains to be systematically elucidated. The study of cuprite’s flotation behavior and surface wettability in this paper reveals that (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> reduces the depressant effect of excessive Na<sub>2</sub>S on cuprite and enhances its flotation efficiency. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis of sulfidation product ions (S<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>, S<sup>−</sup> and Cu<sub>2</sub>S<sup>+</sup>) verified the (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> enhancement of cuprite sulfidation. Microscopic morphology analysis indicates that cuprite surface roughness increased and sulfide products exhibited higher crystallinity and quantity following (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-enhanced sulfidation. It was revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses that the sulfidation of cuprite was promoted by (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, as demonstrated by the increase of hydrophobic S<sub>2</sub><sup>2−</sup> and S<sub>n</sub><sup>2−</sup> species on the cuprite surface; oxygen was also found to play a crucial role in this process. The main product of direct sulfidation was identified as Cu<sub>7.2</sub>S<sub>4</sub> by Grazing-Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD), and the main product of (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-enhanced sulfidation was also identified as Cu<sub>7.2</sub>S<sub>4</sub> and Cu<sub>1.8</sub>S. Furthermore, it has been shown by studies on the solution components that [Cu(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>n</sub>]<sup>2+</sup> are formed through the combination of (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> with copper ions, thereby facilitating the dissolution of cuprite. Subsequently, [Cu(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>n</sub>]<sup>2+</sup> and HS<sup>−</sup> are caused to react, resulting in the generation of copper sulfide and the release of NH<sub>3</sub>. A significant enhancement in cuprite’s sulfidation, a strengthened adsorption of NaBX, and an improved flotation efficiency are all achieved through the oxygen-ammonium synergistic effect.","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145255341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jianing Hu, Qingqing Han, Yanqi Liu, Yu Fan, Wen Xi, Youfang Zhang, Rui Wang, Huanwen Wang, Yansheng Gong, Jun Jin
{"title":"Interface engineering of Ni-MOF/NiCoFe-Prussian blue analogue composite with enhanced Na+ storage kinetics for high-performance hybrid capacitive deionization","authors":"Jianing Hu, Qingqing Han, Yanqi Liu, Yu Fan, Wen Xi, Youfang Zhang, Rui Wang, Huanwen Wang, Yansheng Gong, Jun Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164854","url":null,"abstract":"Prussian blue faces challenges, including a tendency for particle agglomeration and limited charge transfer, which limit their application in hybrid capacitive deionization (CDI) technology. Herein, we develop a Ni-MOF/NiCoFe-Prussian blue analogue (NiCoFe-PBA) heterostructure by employing an in-situ growth of NiCoFe-PBA on a 2D Ni-MOF substrate. The formation of this heterogeneous interface significantly enhances charge transfer efficiency. Additionally, the in-situ growth of PBA on the MOF surface effectively mitigates the stacking of 2D Ni-MOF sheets, thereby increasing the exposure of active sites. Furthermore, Ni improves the structural stability of the composite during Na<sup>+</sup> ion embedding/de-embedding, while Co doping introduces additional electrochemically active sites, significantly boosting the desalination capacity. Therefore, the Ni-MOF/NiCoFe-PBA composite exhibits an excellent desalination capacity of 63.19 mg g<sup>−1</sup> in a 500 μS cm<sup>−1</sup> NaCl solution, along with good cycling stability. The Na<sup>+</sup> ion storage mechanism of the Ni-MOF/NiCoFe-PBA composite is thoroughly investigated. This study provide a new approach for developing high-performance electrodes for hybrid CDI technology.","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"90 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145255342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuqing Sun , Pan Li , Jing He , Qingmin Ma , Man Shen , Zhixue Tian , Ying Liu
{"title":"Interface engineering of VSe2/LaFeO3 vertical heterostructures: modulation of magnetic and electronic properties","authors":"Yuqing Sun , Pan Li , Jing He , Qingmin Ma , Man Shen , Zhixue Tian , Ying Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164845","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164845","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We performed first-principles calculations based on density functional theory to investigate the atomic structure, electronic properties, and magnetic behavior of monolayer and bilayer 1T- and H-VSe<sub>2</sub> adsorbed on the (001) surface of LaFeO<sub>3</sub> (LFO) with LaO and FeO<sub>2</sub> termination layers, respectively. Our findings reveal that both monolayer and bilayer VSe<sub>2</sub> can stably adhere to the LFO (001) surface. Monolayer 1T- and H-VSe<sub>2</sub> exhibit ferromagnetic (FM) characteristics, where the 1T phase is metallic and the H phase is semiconducting. Charge transfer from LFO to VSe<sub>2</sub> induces the reversal of the magnetic moments for specific V atoms in VSe<sub>2</sub>, leading to in-plane antiferromagnetic (AFM) properties. Monolayer 1T-VSe<sub>2</sub> on the LFO surface retains metallic, whereas monolayer H phase exhibits diverse behaviors: some configurations preserve their semiconducting properties, while others transition to metallic states. For bilayer VSe<sub>2</sub>/LFO heterostructures, both 1T- and H-bilayer VSe<sub>2</sub> exhibit interlayer AFM alignment and in-plane FM states. Bilayer 1T-VSe<sub>2</sub> maintains its metallic character, while bilayer H-VSe<sub>2</sub> with LaO termination exhibits half-metallic properties, and that with FeO<sub>2</sub> termination retains semiconducting, enabling tunable half-metal/semiconductor transitions via LFO substrate engineering. Finally, we explored the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic performance of single-atom Pt-doped VSe<sub>2</sub> with and without the LFO (001) substrate. The results indicate that the presence of the LFO substrate significantly enhances the stability of single-atom Pt on VSe<sub>2</sub> and improves the HER catalytic efficiency for Pt-doped monolayer VSe<sub>2</sub>. Additionally, the monolayer H-VSe<sub>2</sub>/LFO heterostructure demonstrates potential for Z-scheme photocatalytic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"717 ","pages":"Article 164845"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hao Lin , Changsheng Xiao , Shuang Liu , Jiaxiang Li , Shanshan Zhou , Hua Pan , Tang Fan , Xiaofeng Shen , Qingquan Xue
{"title":"Design and mechanistic insight into a Na-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 S-scheme heterojunction for efficient antibiotic degradation via low concentration peroxymonosulfate activation","authors":"Hao Lin , Changsheng Xiao , Shuang Liu , Jiaxiang Li , Shanshan Zhou , Hua Pan , Tang Fan , Xiaofeng Shen , Qingquan Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164809","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164809","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Advances in medical biotechnology have driven the widespread use of antibiotics, leading to their environmental persistence and associated threats to human health. In this work, a Na-modified S-scheme heterojunction Na-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Bi<sub>4</sub>O<sub>5</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> was fabricated for photocatalytic activation of PMS to degrade tetracycline (TC). The Na ions are embedded into the heptazine ring of C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, which alters the symmetrical structure of C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>. Importantly, Na-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Bi<sub>4</sub>O<sub>5</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> activated a low PMS dosage (5 mg) to generate reactive oxygen species, achieving rapid tetracycline degradation (91 % in 10 min). This superior performance stems from the synergistic effects of efficient charge separation and the strong redox capacity of the heterojunction. <em>In-situ</em> XPS analysis revealed the electron transfer pathway within the Na-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Bi<sub>4</sub>O<sub>5</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> composite under both dark and illuminated conditions. Combined with DFT calculations, these results support an S-scheme mechanism for PMS activation in TC degradation. Upon light irradiation, electrons in the CB of Na-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> preferentially migrate to the VB of Bi<sub>4</sub>O<sub>5</sub>Br<sub>2</sub>, while the remaining electrons in the CB of Bi<sub>4</sub>O<sub>5</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> and holes in the VB of Na-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> react with OH<sup>−</sup>, O<sub>2</sub>, and PMS to generate reactive species. This study proposed a reasonable design for an ionic-doped S-scheme heterojunction used for degradation of organic wastewater through photocatalysis and advanced oxidation technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"717 ","pages":"Article 164809"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Temperature-adaptive MoN-Ag coatings under operando tribology: multiscale Ag diffusion-oxidation coupling","authors":"Yong Cheng , Yupeng Zhang , Yiqun Feng, Meiqi Zhang, Aiying Wang, Zhenyu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164842","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164842","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of temperature-adaptive lubricant coatings for foil air bearings remains a major challenge. Here, dense MoN–Ag nanocomposite coatings with varying Ag contents (0–22.8 at.%) were deposited by HiPIMS–DCMS. The coatings exhibited low residual stress, strong adhesion, and high mechanical performance. Tribological tests showed that the coefficient of friction (COF) decreased with Ag addition at 350 °C and 500 °C, reaching 0.389 and 0.223, respectively, for the 22.8 at.% Ag coating. At 600 °C, however, the COF increased with Ag content, while the 13.4 at.% Ag coating displayed the lowest wear rate of 2.84 × 10<sup>-5</sup> mm<sup>3</sup>N<sup>-1</sup>m<sup>−1</sup>. Under simulated service conditions, the 13.4 at.% Ag coating demonstrated a reduction in COF from ∼ 0.4 to 0.26 across 25–600 °C, evidencing self-adaptive lubrication. This behavior is ascribed to the formation of a low-shear-strength surface layer, where Ag diffusion and the generation of MoO<sub>x</sub>, Ag<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>4</sub>, and Ag<sub>2</sub>Mo<sub>4</sub>O<sub>13</sub> promote facile slip along crystal planes, thereby enhancing lubricity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"717 ","pages":"Article 164842"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145255349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Viacheslav Kalinovych , Anastasiia Deineko , Sascha L. Mehl , Lesia Piliai , Kevin C. Prince , Iva Matolínová , Tomáš Skála , Nataliya Tsud
{"title":"Functionalization of the polycrystalline cerium oxide with phenylphosphonic acid molecules","authors":"Viacheslav Kalinovych , Anastasiia Deineko , Sascha L. Mehl , Lesia Piliai , Kevin C. Prince , Iva Matolínová , Tomáš Skála , Nataliya Tsud","doi":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164834","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164834","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work reports a study of the functionalization of polycrystalline cerium oxide (pCeO<sub>2</sub>) films by the phenylphosphonic acid (PPA) molecules deposited either in vacuum or from aqueous solution. The systems are characterized using synchrotron-based techniques, including core-level and valence-band photoelectron spectroscopy, resonant photoemission and near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. PPA binds strongly to the pCeO<sub>2</sub> surface via the phosphonate group in a tridentate geometry, accompanied by deprotonation of the P–OH groups and the formation of surface hydroxyl groups. The binding configuration is independent of molecular deposition technique and oxide surface morphology. Thermal stability analysis reveals that low coverage PPA adlayers (0.07 ML) are prone to desorption and decomposition upon heating. In contrast, high coverage adlayers (0.17 ML), particularly those formed in the presence of water, exhibit higher thermal stability as no molecular decomposition was observed up to 400 °C. The deposition of PPA from aqueous solution is found to protect the surface of pCeO<sub>2</sub> films from reduction. The results contribute to the understanding of phosphonate–cerium oxide interactions by highlighting the influence of the deposition environment and surface morphology on molecular bonding and stability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":247,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science","volume":"718 ","pages":"Article 164834"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145247493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}