An Integrated Janus Mesh: Underwater Bubble Antibuoyancy Unidirectional Penetration

Gas bubbles are a powerful tool with applications in particle visualization, spacers, actuation pistons, and pressure sensors. Controlling the transportation of bubbles in the liquid phase is a challenge that needs to be solved in many industrial processes, such as in the pipe transportation of fluids, the corrosion of ocean vessels, and the control of foaming processes. There are few existing materials capable of the antibuoyancy unidirectional transportation of bubbles. Here, a Janus superwetting mesh is fabricated by integrating aerophilic (AL) and superaerophobic (SAB) surfaces. The resulting composite mesh achieves underwater bubble antibuoyancy unidirectional penetration. In aqueous solution, bubbles pass through the mesh from the SAB side to the AL side, but are blocked from passing through in the opposite direction. This Janus mesh can be considered to be a bubble diode, so is convenient for use in underwater bubble unidirectional transportation. This work may promote the development of advanced materials for gas bubble directional transportation and separation in aqueous media.