Affiliation:
1. Functional Nanomaterials Laboratory, Center for Micro/Nanomaterials and Technology and Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongguancundonglu 29 Haidianqu Beijing 100190 China jhhe@mail.ipc.ac.cn
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
Abstract
In both fundamental studies and practical applications, materials with superior properties are of great importance. In general, bulk materials cannot fully meet the requirements of actual applications due to poor performance. Scientists and engineers have long been devoted to finding various strategies towards better material performance. Surface engineering, an easy and economic approach, is widely used to improve material performance through a thin layer of both new composition and structure. This paper reviews the methods of surface engineering used to improve material properties, including surface pretreatment, surface modification, surface deposition, coating, surface structuring and electrochemical surface engineering. Then, the principle and operation process of various methods are highlighted. Meanwhile, the advantages and disadvantages of those methods are compared and discussed. We have also given several examples of surface engineering in recent years. Finally, we have presented and discussed current challenges and future perspectives of surface engineering.
Publisher
The Royal Society of Chemistry