Inside Cover: Design and Fabrication of a Tip‐Like ZnO Nanotube Array Structure with Condensate Microdrop Self‐Propelling Function (ChemNanoMat 11/2016)

A new type of tip-like nanotube array with condensate microdrop self-propelling (CMDSP) function has been designed and fabricated. Based on the basic principle that condensate microdrops can self-remove via coalescence-released weak surface energy as long as interface adhesion induced energy dissipation is sufficiently low, tip-like nanotubes with extremely low solid-liquid interface adhesion were designed. To verify the feasibility of this idea, preferential etching of six corners and inner of ZnO nanopencils was used to achieve tip-like nanotubes. After silane modification, this nanostructure showed CMDSP function. This work offers a new avenue for developing CMDSP functional films, which can have a variety of technological applications such as moisture self-cleaning, antifrosting and enhancing heat transfer. More information can be found in the Communication by X. Gao et al. on page 1018 in Issue 11, 2016 (DOI: 10.1002/cnma.201600207).