Dae-Hyung Cho , Tae-Ha Hwang , Yong-Duck Chung , Rina Kim , Jaehan Park , Mann-Ho Cho , Woo-Jung Lee
{"title":"Thickness-dependent structural evolution and quantum transport properties of Bi2Se3 thin films grown by thermal evaporation","authors":"Dae-Hyung Cho , Tae-Ha Hwang , Yong-Duck Chung , Rina Kim , Jaehan Park , Mann-Ho Cho , Woo-Jung Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100867","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bismuth selenide (Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>) is a prototypical topological insulator that exhibits robust surface states with spin-momentum locking and high carrier mobility, making it a key material for quantum and spintronic applications. We systematically investigated the thickness-dependent morphological evolution and quantum transport properties of Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub> thin films grown by a two-step thermal evaporation method. Films with thicknesses of 3–80 quintuple layers (QL) were deposited under high vacuum and annealed at 200 °C. Ultrathin films (≤ 9 QL) exhibited island-like discontinuous morphology and high resistance, while thicker films (> 9 QL) formed continuous, c-axis-oriented crystalline layers with enhanced smoothness and conductivity. The highest Raman peak intensity was obtained for the 9-QL film due to enhanced electron-phonon coupling, suggesting that 9 QL is the critical thickness for coherent phonon and carrier behavior. Magnetotransport measurements revealed weak antilocalization at low fields and an increasing contribution from bulk transport channels at high fields in thicker films. These findings provide insights into the nucleation-to-coalescence transition of layered Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub> films and establish 9–40 QL as the optimal thickness range for accessing topological surface transport in quantum devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100867"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jianping Gao , Xing Wang , Kai Liu , Jing Ning , Yuanjiang Lv , Junda Chen , Yang Wang , Fei Ma
{"title":"Synergistically enhanced corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and interface adhesion of TiONx/TiN coatings through in-situ anodizing and plasma nitriding of Ti BPs for PEMWE cells","authors":"Jianping Gao , Xing Wang , Kai Liu , Jing Ning , Yuanjiang Lv , Junda Chen , Yang Wang , Fei Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100865","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100865","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity and strong interface adhesion on Ti substrate are fundamental requirements for the coatings on bipolar plates (BPs) of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). In this work, TiON<sub>x</sub>/TiN composite coatings on Ti BPs with a small lattice mismatch of only 1.37% are prepared through anodizing and then in-situ plasma nitriding for TiON<sub>x</sub> and magnetron sputtering for TiN. The lattice mismatch is remarkably smaller than that between TiO<sub>2</sub> and TiN (8.88%). The small lattice mismatch and the in-situ grown on Ti BPs could ensure the strong interface adhesion strength of the TiON<sub>x</sub>/TiN coating at level 0 (ISO 2409:2007). Moreover, commonly, TiON<sub>x</sub> exhibits good corrosion resistance, while TiN displays high electrical conductivity. Accordingly, the composite coatings exhibit enhanced corrosion resistance (0.17 μA·cm<sup>-2</sup>) and high electrical conductivity (6.75 mΩ·cm<sup>2</sup> at 1.5 MPa). After 300 h of potentiostatic test at 2 V, the TiON<sub>x</sub>/TiN coating maintains a low corrosion current density of 4.6 μA·cm<sup>-2</sup> and interface contact resistance (ICR) of 23.64 mΩ·cm<sup>2</sup>. In cell assembly test, the TiON<sub>x</sub>/TiN-coated BP exhibits lower ICR and higher electrolysis efficiency (77.89%) than uncoated BPs (64.35%). Overall, the TiON<sub>x</sub>/TiN coating prepared through anodizing and then in-situ plasma nitriding might be potential candidates for protecting Ti BPs of PEMWE.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100865"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David González-Campelo , Víctor Calvo , Indira Rodríguez , Gabriel Búrdalo-Salcedo , José Miguel González-Domínguez , María Fernández-Raga
{"title":"Spectral characterization for the evaluation of a protective coating on dolomite by visible and near infrared spectroscopy","authors":"David González-Campelo , Víctor Calvo , Indira Rodríguez , Gabriel Búrdalo-Salcedo , José Miguel González-Domínguez , María Fernández-Raga","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Calcareous heritage stones are essential to the European cultural heritage but vulnerable to weathering that compromises their structural and aesthetic integrity. Graphene oxide (GO) emerges a promising protective coating, enhancing resistance to climatic aggressions while preserving the stone’s appearance and reducing restoration costs. To ensure effective application and to monitor durability, rapid and consistent on-site analytical methods are needed. This study evaluates infrared spectroscopy as a non-destructive and reliable tool for the characterization and quantification of GO coatings applied to dolomite stones coming from two different Spanish quarries. Using a partial least squares regression, spectral data enabled accurate assessment of the coating presence, concentration (which was tested in the range from 0 to 16.5 µg·cm⁻²), and uniformity. This work establishes vibrational spectroscopy as a powerful <em>in situ</em> technique for monitoring protective coatings on heritage stones, providing a measurable and reliable framework to safeguard cultural assets against environmental degradation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100864"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chitosan-based adsorbents for water purification: Mechanisms, performance, and sustainability","authors":"Ali Hashem, Sohair Farag","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100804","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100804","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chitosan, a biodegradable polysaccharide derived from chitin, has emerged as a sustainable and high-performance adsorbent for water purification, effectively addressing global challenges posed by heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants. This review comprehensively examines chitosan-based adsorbents, covering their adsorption mechanisms (e.g., electrostatic interactions, chelation, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions), performance metrics (typical adsorption capacities of 120–600 mg/g and removal efficiencies of 80–95 % under optimized conditions, influenced by factors such as pH, temperature, pollutant type, and matrix complexity), and environmental benefits. Key advancements in modification strategies—such as cross-linking, grafting, composite formation, and biopolymer blending—improve stability, selectivity, and reusability, with many adsorbents retaining 80–90 % capacity over multiple cycles. Life Cycle Assessments reveal chitosan’s significantly lower carbon footprint (1.5–2.5 kg CO₂-eq/kg) compared to conventional materials like activated carbon (8–12 kg CO₂-eq/kg) and ion-exchange resins (15–20 kg CO₂-eq/kg), owing to its renewable sourcing from seafood waste and inherent biodegradability. The review critically analyzes challenges, including pH sensitivity, ion competition in complex wastewater, and scalability issues, while highlighting pilot studies demonstrating 80–95 % efficacy in real-world applications. Future directions focus on green modification techniques (e.g., solvent-free synthesis, enzymatic grafting), smart adsorbents (pH-responsive, magnetic), and hybrid systems (e.g., membrane filtration, photocatalysis) to enhance industrial viability. By integrating these innovations, chitosan-based adsorbents present a scalable, eco-friendly solution for sustainable wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100804"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahboobeh Zargazi , Davoud Khademi , Mohammad Chahkandi , Abbas Amini , Seyed Esmaeil Shakib
{"title":"Ti/TiOxNy thin films as highly efficient photoelectrode via engineered interfacial facet on plasmonic schottky barriers","authors":"Mahboobeh Zargazi , Davoud Khademi , Mohammad Chahkandi , Abbas Amini , Seyed Esmaeil Shakib","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Titanium nitride (TiN) is recognized for enhancing semiconductor photocatalytic activity due to its plasmonic properties, similar to those of gold and silver nanoparticles. Changing the stoichiometry of TiN enhances free carrier density, resulting in metallic characteristics and optical properties resembling gold in the visible spectrum. New Ti/TiO<sub>x</sub>N<sub>y</sub> thin films were synthesized with the aid of the Arc-PVD technique under some conditions, including low temperatures and various concentrations of N<sub>2</sub> gas. Under zero and maximum amounts of N<sub>2</sub> gas, nonstoichiometric and highly conductive N-rich phases of TiN were created, respectively. A TiO<sub>2</sub> semiconductor interlayer was specifically coated on a Ti substrate which served both as a co-catalyst layer and as a means to reduce residual stress in the TiN film. Our results demonstrate that the defects and resistance to oxidation in the TiN structure, dependent on the N<sub>2</sub> input, may significantly influence the orientation of stable crystal facet ( [111]) and the excitation of plasmonic-photonic hybrid modes. The highest photocurrent was recorded at about 8.2 mA cm<sup>‒2</sup> at 1.4 V vs. RHE for gold-colored Ti/TiO<sub>x</sub>N<sub>y</sub> oriented along [111] facet, which is 4.3 and 54.6 times more than samples adjusted along [110] and [001] facets, respectively. The employed PVD method at low temperatures as a strong designing technique for tailoring the metal-semiconductor interface simplifies the creation of highly activated photoelectrodes within the water-splitting performance. This applicable technique brings interesting eco-friendly benefits, including energy efficiency, low environmental footprint, and optimized material utilization, in accordance with green chemistry principles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100854"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advancing antifouling and antibacterial performance of composite membranes (MXene / ZnO nanoparticle) reinforcement: A combined experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study","authors":"Fatemeh Badavar, Leila Lotfikatooli, Nasibeh Hajilary","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100857","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100857","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface modification of polymeric membranes presents a promising strategy for enhancing their antifouling and antibacterial performance in water treatment applications. In this research, PES/PVA composite membranes were engineered with MXene and ZnO nanoparticles using the phase inversion method. The morphology of MXene was previously confirmed via FE-SEM, and the resulting membranes were comprehensively characterized using FE-SEM, AFM, EDX, ATR-FTIR, water contact angle analysis, porosity and pore size measurements, and mechanical testing. Performance evaluations revealed that the incorporation of MXene significantly improved water flux (360.6 L/m²·h), achieving more than a threefold increase compared to pristine PES membranes (108.6 L/m²·h). Additionally, PEG facilitated improved porosity and permeability. The optimized PES/PVA-MXene membrane exhibited an impressive flux recovery rate (FRR) of 89.3 % and a BSA rejection rate of 94.7 %, indicating superior antifouling behavior. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further confirmed the enhanced water affinity and interfacial interactions induced by MXene and ZnO incorporation. These findings highlight the synergistic potential of hybrid nanomaterials in developing next-generation ultrafiltration membranes with dual antifouling and antibacterial functionalities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100857"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Lounis, B. Aspe, P. Birnal, L. Gimenez, A. Sauldubois, H. Rabat, A-L Thomann, N. Semmar
{"title":"Physico-Chemical characterization of D-LIPSS formation by femtosecond laser beam on N-doped (100) silicon under controlled atmospheres","authors":"L. Lounis, B. Aspe, P. Birnal, L. Gimenez, A. Sauldubois, H. Rabat, A-L Thomann, N. Semmar","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100860","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100860","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, the formation of deep laser-induced periodic surface structures (D-LIPSS) on N-type silicon (100) was investigated using femtosecond laser pulses (pulse duration = 350 fs; wavelength = 1030 nm; repetition rate = 100 kHz) with linear polarization. Experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure and at 1 mbar under various atmospheres, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and ambient air, in both static mode (accumulation of successive pulses) and scanning mode (sample displacement under the beam). The study aimed to better understand the mechanisms involved in ultrashort laser-induced surface structuring by examining the influence of atmospheric pressure and gas composition on the morphology, topography, chemical composition, and wettability of the fabricated structures. Morphological characterization using SEM, AFM, and TEM revealed the formation of D-LIPSS with amplitudes around 650 ± 50 nm, significantly exceeding typical values reported in the literature. Material redeposition was markedly reduced under low-pressure conditions compared to atmospheric pressure, leading to cleaner and more well-defined surface structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100860"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lenka Pálková , Vilém Neděla , Jaroslava Bezděková , Eva Tihlaříková , František Martínek , Lucie Kracíková , Ladislav Androvič , Richard Laga
{"title":"New self-supporting polymer thin film for nanoparticle analysis in STEM/TEM","authors":"Lenka Pálková , Vilém Neděla , Jaroslava Bezděková , Eva Tihlaříková , František Martínek , Lucie Kracíková , Ladislav Androvič , Richard Laga","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100859","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100859","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The demand for high-resolution imaging of nanomaterials continues to grow across disciplines. However, conventional support films for transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM) are often limited by low beam resistance, suboptimal resolution, toxicity concerns, and high production costs. This study introduces a new application of a self-supporting, biocompatible thin film composed of hydrophilic, crosslinked poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (p(HPMA)) as an alternative to traditional carbon or organic polymer supports. The film forms a stable, continuous interfacial layer that promotes homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion and minimizes aggregation, critical factors for accurate analysis of nanoscale interfacial interactions. By embedding nanoparticles within the hydrated polymer matrix, the film provides a consistent and reproducible interface, enabling detailed observation of particle behavior, stability, and interactions at both solid-liquid and solid-vacuum boundaries. Resolution measurements show improvements of up to 29% over Formvar and 32% over graphene oxide. Film thicknesses range from 3.5 to 22.9 nm, spanning the holes in Lacey and Quantifoil grids. The film is produced using a rapid, scalable casting method using standard laboratory materials. TEM and STEM imaging confirm its structural and beam stability under accelerating voltages up to 200 kV. Nanoparticle dispersion and film integrity are preserved for at least six months. These findings highlight the potential of this polymer-based support film as a cost-effective and sustainable platform for high-resolution electron microscopy, with broad relevance to colloid and interface science, nanomedicine, and environmental nanotechnology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100859"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nasirudeen Ogunlakin , Nawaf Saeed Al Hudayb , Viswanathan S. Saji
{"title":"PEO of AZ31 Mg alloy in a silicate-based hybrid electrolyte system – Effect of glycerol and WO3 particles","authors":"Nasirudeen Ogunlakin , Nawaf Saeed Al Hudayb , Viswanathan S. Saji","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plasma electrolytic oxidation of AZ31 Mg alloy was conducted in silicate-glycerol hybrid electrolytes with added WO<sub>3</sub> particles. The individual and combined effects of glycerol and WO<sub>3</sub> particles on the morphology, composition, mechanical properties, and scratch and corrosion resistance of the developed PEO layer were evaluated. The results revealed that although the addition of WO<sub>3</sub> particles to the aqueous silicate electrolyte does not enhance corrosion resistance, the PEO layer developed in the optimized hybrid electrolyte with added WO<sub>3</sub> particles significantly improves electrochemical corrosion resistance. The addition of 0.5 g/L WO<sub>3</sub> and 30 mL/L glycerol has reduced the corrosion rate of PEO-coated Mg alloy by ∼ 45 times. The optimized addition of glycerol, with or without particles, effectively enhances surface hardness and coating adhesion. The results indicate that incorporating glycerol into the aqueous electrolyte improves the in-situ incorporation of particles, facilitates the fabrication of a smoother PEO layer, and enhances mechanical properties, coating adhesion, and corrosion resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100861"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cyrille Ghislain Fotsop, Alexandra Lieb, Franziska Scheffler
{"title":"Insights into the synergistic effects of ZnO/MgO and Zn/Mg-modified porous zeolite as core-satellite materials for tuning water vapor sorption properties","authors":"Cyrille Ghislain Fotsop, Alexandra Lieb, Franziska Scheffler","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Humidity control is a major issue in industrial processes, the present work focuses on the synthesis of the core-satellite materials: Zeo-X-Mg, Zeo-X-Zn, Zeo-X-ZnO and Zeo-X-MgO, followed by a comparative study of their water vapor adsorption properties. The adsorption mechanism was elucidated using isothermal modeling with Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB) models. The obtained materials were synthesized by an ex situ ion-exchange assisted hydrothermal method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS)-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)-differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), N₂ sorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. XRD analysis revealed additional phases in the Zeo-X-ZnO and Zeo-X-MgO samples due to the presence of ZnO, Zn(OH)₂, MgO, and Mg(OH)₂ on the Zeo-X-Na sample's surface. SEM/EDX analysis revealed uniform octahedral particles corresponding to the six-membered rings (D6R) of sodalite cages and a homogeneous distribution of Mg and Zn elements. The water vapor adsorption capacities were 26.9, 25.1, 21.5, 18.1, and 14.1 mmol/g for Zeo-X-ZnO, Zeo-X-MgO, Zeo-X-Zn, Zeo-X-Mg, and Zeo-X-Na samples, respectively. Despite their low porosities, Zeo-X-ZnO and Zeo-X-MgO showed higher adsorption capacities comparable to samples exchanged with Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and pure zeolite. For Zeo-X-MgO and Zeo-X-ZnO samples, water molecule adsorption occurs preferentially on the surface of the zeolite structure, due to the formation of Zn(OH)₂ and Mg(OH)₂ complexes during to the hydration. The GAB model showed a higher R² value with low values of the error functions, indicating adsorption on infinite monolayers and multilayers at variable pressure. The Freundlich model showed that chemisorption occurred at the adsorbent surface during adsorption. The obtained isosteric heat of adsorption were 53.22, 63.03, 80.96, 65.23, and 73.15 kJ/mol for Zeo-X-Na, Zeo-X-Zn, Zeo-X-ZnO, Zeo-X-Mg, and Zeo-X-MgO, respectively. These results point to an innovative approach to industrial processes involving water vapor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100855"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}