Interfacial Galvanic Engineering Enables Direct Growth of Graphdiyne-Based Slippery Coatings on Zinc Surfaces

Highly reactive zinc (Zn) surfaces are intrinsically incompatible with the surface-mediated Glaser coupling that underpins the growth of graphdiyne-based networks, which has largely confined such coatings to copper substrates. Overcoming this substrate incompatibility is therefore a critical yet unresolved step toward deploying graphdiyne-derived functional coatings on technologically important Zn-based components. Here, we develop an interfacial galvanic engineering strategy that reconstructs the Zn surface into a catalytically active and adhesion-promoting transition interface, thereby decoupling graphdiyne-like network growth from the intrinsic limitations of the substrate. Specifically, an in situ electrochemical displacement reaction spontaneously generates a nanoscale Cu-modified Zn (Cu-Zn) interface, which simultaneously provides the catalytic activity required for Glaser coupling and a robust anchoring layer for the emerging carbon framework. As a result, an ultrathin (440-677 nm), mechanically resilient nanoporous poly(1,3,5-triethynylbenzene) (PTEB) coating with strong interfacial adhesion is obtained on zinc substrates with diverse geometries. Subsequent fluorination of the PTEB framework and infusion of a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant transform the porous coating into a molecularly smooth slippery surface. The resulting fluorinated PTEB-based slippery surface exhibits an exceptionally low sliding angle (∼1.19°) and delivers outstanding corrosion protection in artificial seawater, achieving an inhibition efficiency (η<sub><i>j</i></sub>) of up to 99.56%, while effectively suppressing protein and algal adhesion. Benefiting from the synergistic integration of the galvanically engineered interface, the chemically robust graphdiyne-like scaffold, and the stabilized lubricant layer, the coating maintains its structural integrity and functional performance under prolonged immersion and mechanical deformation. This work establishes an interfacial paradigm for overcoming substrate incompatibility in graphdiyne-based coatings and creates opportunities for long-term protection of highly reactive metal components in aggressive marine environments.

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Publication Details

Journal
Langmuir
Published
2026-03-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c00503
Primary Topic
Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
Type
article
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article

Interfacial Galvanic Engineering Enables Direct Growth of Graphdiyne-Based Slippery Coatings on Zinc Surfaces

J. Y. Tang, Tao Wang, Jianing Wang, Sheng Wang et al.
Langmuir
Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
article

Interfacial Galvanic Engineering Enables Direct Growth of Graphdiyne-Based Slippery Coatings on Zinc Surfaces

J. Y. Tang, Tao Wang, Jianing Wang, Sheng Wang, Tao Zhang
article en

Abstract

Highly reactive zinc (Zn) surfaces are intrinsically incompatible with the surface-mediated Glaser coupling that underpins the growth of graphdiyne-based networks, which has largely confined such coatings to copper substrates. Overcoming this substrate incompatibility is therefore a critical yet unresolved step toward deploying graphdiyne-derived functional coatings on technologically important Zn-based components. Here, we develop an interfacial galvanic engineering strategy that reconstructs the Zn surface into a catalytically active and adhesion-promoting transition interface, thereby decoupling graphdiyne-like network growth from the intrinsic limitations of the substrate. Specifically, an in situ electrochemical displacement reaction spontaneously generates a nanoscale Cu-modified Zn (Cu-Zn) interface, which simultaneously provides the catalytic activity required for Glaser coupling and a robust anchoring layer for the emerging carbon framework. As a result, an ultrathin (440-677 nm), mechanically resilient nanoporous poly(1,3,5-triethynylbenzene) (PTEB) coating with strong interfacial adhesion is obtained on zinc substrates with diverse geometries. Subsequent fluorination of the PTEB framework and infusion of a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant transform the porous coating into a molecularly smooth slippery surface. The resulting fluorinated PTEB-based slippery surface exhibits an exceptionally low sliding angle (∼1.19°) and delivers outstanding corrosion protection in artificial seawater, achieving an inhibition efficiency (η<sub><i>j</i></sub>) of up to 99.56%, while effectively suppressing protein and algal adhesion. Benefiting from the synergistic integration of the galvanically engineered interface, the chemically robust graphdiyne-like scaffold, and the stabilized lubricant layer, the coating maintains its structural integrity and functional performance under prolonged immersion and mechanical deformation. This work establishes an interfacial paradigm for overcoming substrate incompatibility in graphdiyne-based coatings and creates opportunities for long-term protection of highly reactive metal components in aggressive marine environments.

Langmuir
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology (CN)
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
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