There is provided a surface-treated steel sheet (1) comprising: a tin-plated steel sheet (10) obtained by tin-plating a steel sheet (11); a phosphate compound layer (20) containing tin phosphate formed on the tin-plated steel sheet (10); and an aluminum-oxygen compound layer (30) on the phosphate compound layer (20), a main constituent of the aluminum-oxygen compound layer (30) being an aluminum-oxygen compound; wherein, when the 3d.sub.5/2 spectrum of tin in the aluminum-oxygen compound layer (30) is determined using an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the ratio of the integration value of the profile derived from tin oxide to the integration value of the profile derived from tin phosphate (tin oxide/tin phosphate) is 6.9 or more.

Articles comprising a substrate and a coating are described. In some examples, the coating is disposed on at least one region of the surface and comprises at least one hydrophobic layer. In some instances, the hydrophobic layer comprises a composite comprising a single metallic element or metallic compound and at least one type of surface-modified inorganic particles to provide a metal-based matrix. In certain examples, the at least one type of surface-modified inorganic particles within the metal-based matrix is embedded within the metal-based matrix and is separate from the single metallic element or metallic compound in the metal-based matrix. Processes for producing the coatings and articles are also described.

Articles comprising a substrate and a coating are described. In some examples, the coating is disposed on at least one region of the surface and comprises at least one hydrophobic layer. In some instances, the hydrophobic layer comprises a composite comprising a single metallic element or metallic compound and at least one type of surface-modified inorganic particles to provide a metal-based matrix. In certain examples, the at least one type of surface-modified inorganic particles within the metal-based matrix is embedded within the metal-based matrix and is separate from the single metallic element or metallic compound in the metal-based matrix. Processes for producing the coatings and articles are also described.

A catalyst comprising a porous electrically conductive substrate (such as a foam, carbon fibre paper and carbon fibre cloth) and a porous metallic composite of amorphous NiMoP coating at least a portion of the surface or multiple surfaces of the substrate. The composite preferably forms a continuous layer which coats the surfaces and pores of the substrate. Also methods for preparing and using the catalyst, for example in electrolytic water splitting.

The present invention relates to 2D-material based composite materials such as aerogels and particularly, although not exclusively, to deposition of nanoparticles on 2D-material based aerogels. Also described are methods for manufacturing such materials.

The present invention relates to 2D-material based composite materials such as aerogels and particularly, although not exclusively, to deposition of nanoparticles on 2D-material based aerogels. Also described are methods for manufacturing such materials.

EC film stacks and different layers within the EC film stacks are disclosed. Methods of manufacturing these layers are also disclosed. In one embodiment, an EC layer comprises nanostructured EC layer. These layers may be manufactured by various methods, including, including, but not limited to glancing angle deposition, oblique angle deposition, electrophoresis, electrolyte deposition, and atomic layer deposition. The nanostructured EC layers have a high specific surface area, improved response times, and higher color efficiency.

The present invention relates to the technical field of electrocatalytic electrode preparation, and discloses a lead dioxide-carbon nanotube adsorptive electrochemical submicroelectrode, a preparation method, and use thereof. The electrochemical submicroelectrode according to the present invention comprises multiple layers of orderly arranged spherical lead dioxide submicroholes communicating with each other, where the carbon nanotubes are partially or completely inserted (in the form of twigs) in the lead dioxide hole and in the wall of the hole. The combined effect of adsorption and catalysis inside the submicroreactor effectively solves the problems of low catalytic efficiency and diffusion control associated with the conventional flat lead dioxide electrode, thus greatly improving the electrochemical catalytic performance of the electrode.

The present invention relates to the technical field of electrocatalytic electrode preparation, and discloses a lead dioxide-carbon nanotube adsorptive electrochemical submicroelectrode, a preparation method, and use thereof. The electrochemical submicroelectrode according to the present invention comprises multiple layers of orderly arranged spherical lead dioxide submicroholes communicating with each other, where the carbon nanotubes are partially or completely inserted (in the form of twigs) in the lead dioxide hole and in the wall of the hole. The combined effect of adsorption and catalysis inside the submicroreactor effectively solves the problems of low catalytic efficiency and diffusion control associated with the conventional flat lead dioxide electrode, thus greatly improving the electrochemical catalytic performance of the electrode.

EC film stacks and different layers within the EC film stacks are disclosed. Methods of manufacturing these layers are also disclosed. In one embodiment, an EC layer comprises nanostructured EC layer. These layers may be manufactured by various methods, including, including, but not limited to glancing angle deposition, oblique angle deposition, electrophoresis, electrolyte deposition, and atomic layer deposition. The nanostructured EC layers have a high specific surface area, improved response times, and higher color efficiency.