A Super-Adhesive 2D Diamond Smart Nanofluid with Self-Healing Properties and Multifunctional Applications

Smart responsive materials are capable of responding
to external
stimuli and, compared to traditional materials, can be effectively
reused and reduce usage costs in applications. However, smart responsive
materials often face challenges such as the inability to repair extensive
damage, instability in long-term performance, and inapplicability
in extreme environments. This study combines 2D diamond nanosheets
with organic fluorinated molecules to prepare a smart nanofluid (fluorinated
diamond nanosheets, F-DN) with self-healing and self-adhesion properties.
This smart nanofluid can be used to design various coatings for different
applications. For example, coatings prepared on textured steel plates
using the drop-casting method have excellent superhydrophobic and
high oleophobic properties; coatings on titanium alloy plates achieve
low friction and wear in the presence of lubricating additives of
F-DN in perfluoropolyether (PFPE). Most impressively, coatings on
steel plates not only provide effective corrosion resistance but also
have the ability to self-heal significant damage (approximately 2
mm in width), withstand extremely low temperatures (−64 °C),
and resist long-term corrosion factors (immersion in 3.5 wt % NaCl
solution for 35 days). Additionally, it can act as a “coating
glue” to repair extensive damage to other corrosion-resistant
organic coatings and recover their original protective properties.
Therefore, the smart nanofluid developed in this study offers diverse
applications and presents new materials system for the future development
of smart responsive materials.