From fundamentals of crystallization fouling on nanomaterials to rational design of scalephobic surfaces

Crystallization fouling, a process where scale forms on surfaces, is pervasive in nature and technology, negatively impacting the energy conversion and water treatment industries. Despite significant efforts, rationally designed materials that are intrinsically resistant to crystallization fouling without the use of active methods like antiscalant additives remain elusive. This is because antiscalant surfaces are constructed today without sufficient reliance on an intricate but necessary science-base, of how interweaved interfacial thermofluidics, nucleation thermodynamics, and surface nanoengineering control the onset of nucleation and adhesion of frequently encountered scaling salts like calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate. Such scaling salts are common components of fouling deposits in industrial heat exchangers and membranes, which significantly inhibit heat transfer and flow performance. I will present my recent work on the development of innovative materials and systems addressing these challenges. I will focus on our findings related to understanding the fundamentals of scale nucleation and adhesion and how we use this to rationally engineering intrinsically scalephobic surfaces based on the collaborative action of their composition and topography.