A method includes steps of forming an inner coating on an object and forming an outer coating in contact with the inner coating. A first solution including metal oxide nanoparticles and a first solvent is applied onto the object. The first solvent is removed to form the inner coating with the metal oxide nanoparticles. A second solution having silicon dioxide nanoparticles and a second solvent is applied onto the object. The second solvent is removed to form the outer coating with the silicon dioxide nanoparticles. The interfacial binding force between the metal oxide nanoparticles and the silicon dioxide nanoparticles is then strengthened, for example, by applying a third solution such as water, ethanol or a mixture thereof to the inner coating and the outer coating.

A nanowire-equipped film comprises a substrate made of a crystalline resin, and nanowires made of a metal oxide and grown directly on the substrate. A fine textured structure is formed on a surface of the substrate, and the nanowires are grown directly from the textured structure.

A coating system configured to be applied to a thermal barrier coating of an article includes an infiltration coating configured to be applied to the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating infiltrates at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating decomposes within the at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating to coat a portion of the at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating reduces a porosity of the thermal barrier coating. The coating system also includes a reactive phase spray formulation coat configured to be applied to the thermal barrier coating. The reactive phase spray formulation coating reacts with dust deposits on the thermal barrier coating

A device for the production of nanoparticles in situ for Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in a mobile measurement station includes a least a first block having a control system, an automatic titration and dosing system, containers for substances with a system supplying substances to a reactor, a chemical reactor with a substance stirring system, sensors for controlling the nanomaterial production process, a heating and process temperature control system, a system for conducting the produced material to the next block outside, a nanoparticle processing system to perform measurements. A related method produces nanoparticles in situ for Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in a mobile measurement station.

Electrocatalytic materials and methods of making the electrocatalytic materials are provided. Such a method may comprise forming precursor nanosheets comprising a precursor metal on a surface of a substrate; exposing the precursor nanosheets to a modifier solution comprising a polar, aprotic solvent and a metal salt at a temperature and for a period of time, the metal salt comprising a metal cation and an anion, thereby forming modified precursor nanosheets; and calcining the modified precursor nanosheets for a period of time to form an electrocatalytic material comprising structurally modified nanosheets and the substrate, each nanosheet extending from the surface of the substrate and having a solid matrix. The solid matrix defines pores distributed throughout the solid matrix and comprises a precursor metal oxide and domains of another metal oxide distributed throughout the precursor metal oxide; or the solid matrix comprises the precursor metal oxide and nanoparticles of the another metal oxide distributed on a surface of the solid matrix.

A method includes applying an infiltration coating on a thermal barrier coating of an article. The infiltration coating infiltrates at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating decomposes within the at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating to coat a portion of the at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating reduces a porosity of the thermal barrier coating. The method also includes applying a reactive phase spray formulation coating on the thermal barrier coating. The reactive phase spray formulation coating reacts with dust deposits on the thermal barrier coating.

A method includes applying an infiltration coating on a thermal barrier coating of an article. The infiltration coating infiltrates at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating decomposes within the at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating to coat a portion of the at least some pores of the thermal barrier coating. The infiltration coating reduces a porosity of the thermal barrier coating. The method also includes applying a reactive phase spray formulation coating on the thermal barrier coating. The reactive phase spray formulation coating reacts with dust deposits on the thermal barrier coating.

A composition comprising nano- or micro-particles grafted onto a surface are disclosed. Process of preparing the compositions and methods of using the same, such as for anti-fogging, anti-fouling and anti-scratching are provided.

Electrocatalytic materials and methods of making the electrocatalytic materials are provided. Such a method may comprise forming precursor nanosheets comprising a precursor metal on a surface of a substrate; exposing the precursor nanosheets to a modifier solution comprising a polar, aprotic solvent and a metal salt at a temperature and for a period of time, the metal salt comprising a metal cation and an anion, thereby forming modified precursor nanosheets; and calcining the modified precursor nanosheets for a period of time to form an electrocatalytic material comprising structurally modified nanosheets and the substrate, each nanosheet extending from the surface of the substrate and having a solid matrix. The solid matrix defines pores distributed throughout the solid matrix and comprises a precursor metal oxide and domains of another metal oxide distributed throughout the precursor metal oxide; or the solid matrix comprises the precursor metal oxide and nanoparticles of the another metal oxide distributed on a surface of the solid matrix.

A method of forming one-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures includes forming a TiN film on a substrate to provide a TiN-coated substrate; providing an aqueous mixture including hexamethylenetetramine and a metal nitrate, contacting the TiN-coated substrate with the aqueous mixture such that the TiN film on the substrate is in the aqueous mixture, and heating the aqueous mixture at a temperature ranging from about 50? C. to about 100? C. for a period of time ranging from about 60 minutes to about 180 minutes to form the metal oxide nanostructures. The method offers a low-temperature approach for the growth of metal oxide nanostructures. In an embodiment, the metal oxide is zinc oxide (ZnO) and the metal nitrate is zinc nitrate. In an embodiment the substrate is a Si/SiO.sub.2 substrate. In an embodiment, the metal oxide nanostructures include one-dimensional nanostructures, such as nanorods.