Dr Yao Lu

Yao Lu
FHEA

Senior Lecturer
Tutor Abroad

School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Google Scholar

Research

Surface science, Nanomaterials, Low carbon manufacturing

Interests

My research is to create robust surface morphologies in micro and nano scales, for a variety of applications such as anti-fouling, anti-icing, anti-corrosion etc., to promote energy conservation and address the global Net Zero challenges. We are open to collaborations from both academic and industrial sectors, to study both fundamental science and their real-world applications.

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to the Centre for Chemical Research

2025

bullet iconIntelligent manipulation of liquids through the bio-inspired structuring of materials
Zhang C, Wang L, Crick CR and Lu Y
Progress in Materials Science, Elsevier vol. 147 
01-01-2025

2024

bullet iconEnhanced waterproof performance of superhydrophobic SiO2/PDMS coating
He S, Chen J, Lu Y, Huang S and Feng K
Progress in Organic Coatings, Elsevier vol. 197, 108845-108845.  
09-10-2024
Relevant PublicationReinforced Nacre‐Like MXene/Sodium Alginate Composite Films for Bioinspired Actuators Driven by Moisture and Sunlight
Sun L, Che L, Li M, Chen K, Leng X, Long Y, Guo X, Palma M and Lu Y
Small, Wiley vol. 20 (51) 
06-10-2024
bullet iconSynergistically biomimetic platform that enables droplets to be self-propelled
Li M, Lu Y, Wang Y, Huang S and Feng K
International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, Iop Publishing vol. 6 (5) 
04-07-2024
bullet iconBionic design of multi-scale superhydrophobic textures to smash impacted droplets: An anti-icing strategy
Xin Z, Zhang C, Wei Z, Wang L and Lu Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 490 
01-06-2024
Relevant PublicationVersatile and recyclable double-network PVA/cellulose hydrogels for strain sensors and triboelectric nanogenerators under harsh conditions
Wang Y, Zhang Y, Ren P, Yu S, Cui P, Nielsen CB, Abrahams I, Briscoe J and Lu Y
Nano Energy, Elsevier, 109599-109599.  
01-04-2024
Relevant PublicationEndowing durable icephobicity by combination of a rough powder coating and a superamphiphobic coating
Xiao Z, Chen C, Liu S, Liu C, Liu W, Cheng Z, Yu X, Lu Y and Zhang Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 482 
01-02-2024

2023

Relevant PublicationMulti‐Stimuli‐Responsive Weldable Bilayer Actuator with Programmable Patterns and 3D Shapes
Sun L, Zhao Q, Che L, Li M, Leng X, Long Y and Lu Y
Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 34 (8) 
12-11-2023
Relevant PublicationA new insight into the design of robust superhydrophobic and fire retardant wood: Breaking the conflicting requirement on adhesives
Jia S, Deng S, Lu Y, Wu Y and Qing Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 475 
01-11-2023
Relevant PublicationDroplet impacting multi-layer soap bubbles on patterned surfaces
Jing L, Li M, Lu Y and Huang S
Surfaces and Interfaces, Elsevier vol. 43 
21-10-2023
Relevant PublicationEnhanced performance of heterogeneous fenton-like Co-Cu catalysts for metronidazole degradation: Ethylene glycol as a superior fabrication solvent
Liu L, Li J, Guo X, Wu H, Wu J, Dong Y, Li Y and Lu Y
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Elsevier vol. 11 (5) 
01-10-2023
Relevant PublicationAqueous Fabrication of Recyclable and Color-Adjustable Superhydrophobic Pigments Based on NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Nanostructures for Coating Applications
Wang F, Wang J, Gao P, Wang Y, Ma W, Zhang Z, Men X and Lu Y
Acs Applied Nano Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 6 (18), 16555-16566.  
09-09-2023
Relevant PublicationThe Glaze Icing Performance of a Robust Superhydrophobic Film Composed of Epoxy Resin and Polydimethylsiloxane
Zhuang A, Li C, Yu J and Lu Y
Coatings, Mdpi vol. 13 (7) 
20-07-2023
Relevant PublicationSustainable corrosion-resistant superhydrophobic composite coating with strengthened robustness
Qiao M, Ji G, Lu Y and Zhang B
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 121, 215-227.  
01-05-2023
Relevant PublicationInside Front Cover, Volume 2, Number 2, April 2023
Yang X, Qi B, Lu Y, Zhang W and Wang X
Droplet, Wiley vol. 2 (2) 
01-04-2023
Relevant PublicationZero‐waste emission design of sustainable and programmable actuators
Sun L, Che L, Li M, Neal WG, Leng X, Long Y, Jia Y, Gao Y, Palma M and Lu Y
Susmat, Wiley vol. 3 (2), 207-221.  
06-03-2023
Relevant PublicationBionic surface diode for droplet steering
Yang X, Qi B, Lu Y, Zhang W and Wang X
Droplet, Wiley Open Access 
09-02-2023
Relevant PublicationBamboo-shaped pumpless platform for long-distance and lossless droplet transport
Huang S, Li M, Shu C, Su Q, Lu Y and Feng K
Applied Surface Science, Elsevier vol. 609 
01-01-2023

2022

Relevant PublicationRobust and durable liquid-repellent surfaces.
Chen F, Wang Y, Tian Y, Zhang D, Song J, Crick CR, Carmalt CJ, Parkin IP and Lu Y
Chemical Society Reviews, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 51 (20), 8476-8583.  
03-10-2022
Relevant PublicationFront Cover, Volume 1, Number 2, October 2022
Leng X, Sun L, Long Y and Lu Y
Droplet, Wiley vol. 1 (2), i-i.  
01-10-2022
Relevant PublicationBioinspired superwetting materials for water manipulation
Leng X, Sun L, Long Y and Lu Y
Droplet, Wiley vol. 1 (2), 139-169.  
01-10-2022
Relevant PublicationGreen self-propelling swimmer driven by rain droplets
Chen Y, Yan D, Liu R, Lu Y, Zhao D, Deng X and Song J
Nano Energy, Elsevier vol. 101, 107543-107543.  
07-07-2022
Relevant PublicationRational Design of Durable Anti-fouling Coatings with High Transparency, Hardness, and Flexibility
Gao P, Wang Y, Wang J, Wang F, Ma W, Zhang Z, Men X and Lu Y
Acs Applied Materials and Interfaces, American Chemical Society vol. 14 (25), 29156-29166.  
29-06-2022
Relevant PublicationSaturated Surface Charging on Micro/Nanoporous Polytetrafluoroethylene for Droplet Manipulation
Yang X, Li Y, Zheng H and Lu Y
Acs Applied Nano Materials, American Chemical Society 
24-02-2022

2021

Relevant PublicationArchitecture-Driven Fast Droplet Transport without Mass Loss
Zhuang K, Lu Y, Wang X and Yang X
Langmuir: The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids, American Chemical Society vol. 37 (43), 12519-12528.  
04-11-2021
Relevant PublicationLiquid-like Transparent and Flexible Coatings for Anti-graffiti Applications
Lu Y
Progress in Organic Coatings, Elsevier 
10-09-2021
Relevant PublicationComparison Study of Self-Cleaning, Anti-Icing, and Durable Corrosion Resistance of Superhydrophobic and Lubricant-Infused Ultraslippery Surfaces
Zhang B, Xu W, Xia D-H, Fan X, Duan J and Lu Y
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 37 (37), 11061-11071.  
07-09-2021
Relevant PublicationRobust Micro-Nanostructured Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Long-Term Dropwise Condensation
Tang Y, Yang X, Li Y, Lu Y and Zhu D
Nano Letters, American Chemical Society 
02-09-2021
Relevant PublicationDesign Robust, Degradable and Recyclable Superhydrophobic Materials
Lu Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier 
18-04-2021
Relevant PublicationPhotolithography-Assisted Precise Patterning of Nanocracks for Ultrasensitive Strain Sensors
Lu Y
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry 
20-01-2021
Relevant PublicationA coating-free superhydrophobic sensing material for full-range human motion and microliter droplet impact detection
Lu Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier 
07-01-2021
Relevant PublicationThe challenges, achievements and applications of submersible superhydrophobic materials
Mehanna YA, Sadler E, Upton RL, Kempchinsky AG, Lu Y and Crick CR
Chemical Society Reviews, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 50 (11), 6569-6612.  
01-01-2021

2020

Relevant PublicationUnprecedented enhancement of wear resistance for epoxy-resin graphene composites
Lu Y
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry 
21-12-2020
Relevant PublicationCreation of Topological Ultra-Slippery Surfaces for Droplet Motion Control
Lu Y
Acs Nano, American Chemical Society 
30-11-2020
Relevant PublicationNanocrack-based strain sensors
Lu Y
Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Royal Society of Chemistry 
19-11-2020
Relevant PublicationEnergy Conversion Based on Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Lu Y
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry 
13-10-2020
Relevant PublicationSacrificial layer-assisted nanoscale transfer printing
Liu J, Pang B, Xue R, Li R, Song J, Zhao X, Wang D, Hu X, Lu Y and Wang L
Microsystems & Nanoengineering, Springer Nature vol. 6 (1) 
21-09-2020
Relevant PublicationDurable Fire Retardant, Superhydrophobic, Abrasive Resistant and Air/UV Stable Coatings
Lu Y
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier 
21-07-2020
Relevant PublicationA simple, inexpensive and environmental-friendly electrochemical etching method to fabricate superhydrophobic GH4169 surfaces
Lu Y
Surface and Coatings Technology, Elsevier 
10-07-2020
Relevant PublicationNanoscale SiO2-coated superhydrophobic meshes via electro-spray deposition for oil-water separation
Lu Y
Powder Technology, Elsevier 
20-06-2020
Relevant PublicationSelf-healing on mismatched fractured composite surfaces of SiC with a diameter of 180 nm
Lu Y
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry 
09-06-2020
Relevant PublicationBamboo-joint-like platforms for fast, long-distance, directional and spontaneous transport of fluids
Lu Y
Biomicrofluidics, Aip Publishing 
19-05-2020
Relevant PublicationMacroscale Superlubricity: Macroscale Superlubricity Enabled by Graphene‐Coated Surfaces (Adv. Sci. 4/2020)
Zhang Z, Du Y, Huang S, Meng F, Chen L, Xie W, Chang K, Zhang C, Lu Y, Lin C, Li S, Parkin IP and Guo D
Advanced Science, Wiley Open Access vol. 7 (4), 2070023-2070023.  
19-02-2020
Relevant PublicationMacroscale superlubricity enabled by graphene coated surfaces
Lu Y
Advanced Science, Wiley Open Access 
19-01-2020

2019

Relevant PublicationRobust Superhydrophobic Conical Pillars from Syringe Needle Shape to Straight Conical Pillar Shape for Droplet Pancake Bouncing.
Song J, Huang L, Zhao C, Wu S, Liu H, Lu Y, Deng X, Carmalt CJ, Parkin IP and Sun Y
Acs Applied Materials and Interfaces, American Chemical Society 
06-11-2019
Relevant PublicationTiO2 nanotube arrays decorated with Au and Bi2S3 nanoparticles for efficient Fe3+ ions detection and dye photocatalytic degradation
Huang J, Shen J, Li S, Cai J, Wang S, Lu Y, He J, Carmalt CJ, Parkin IP and Lai Y
Journal of Materials Science and Technology, Elsevier vol. 39, 28-38.  
27-09-2019
Relevant PublicationSuperhydrophilic-Superhydrophobic Patterned Surfaces on Glass Substrate for Water Harvesting
Lu Y
Journal of Materials Science, Springer Verlag 
23-09-2019
Relevant PublicationLow-Cost One-Step Fabrication of Highly Conductive ZnO:Cl Transparent Thin Films with Tunable Photocatalytic Properties via Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition.
Jiamprasertboon A, Dixon SC, Sathasivam S, Powell MJ, Lu Y, Siritanon T and Carmalt CJ
Acs Appl Electron Mater vol. 1 (8), 1408-1417.  
27-08-2019
Relevant PublicationUnprecedented piezoresistance coefficient in strained silicon carbide.
Cui J, Zhang Z, Liu D, Zhang D, Hu W, Zou L, Lu Y, Zhang C, Lu H, Tang C, Jiang N, Parkin I and Guo D
Nano Lett 
07-08-2019
Relevant PublicationHeterojunction α‐Fe2O3/ZnO Films with Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties Grown by Aerosol‐Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition
Jiamprasertboon A, Kafizas A, Sachs M, Ling M, Alotaibi AM, Lu Y, Siritanon T, Parkin IP and Carmalt CJ
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 25 (48), 11337-11345.  
01-08-2019
Relevant PublicationUltrahigh Recovery of Fracture Strength on Mismatched Fractured Amorphous Surfaces of Silicon Carbide.
Cui J, Zhang Z, Jiang H, Liu D, Zou L, Guo X, Lu Y, Parkin IP and Guo D
Acs Nano vol. 13 (7), 7483-7492.  
04-06-2019
Relevant PublicationThermally-induced all-damage-healable superhydrophobic surface with photocatalytic performance from hierarchical BiOCl
Jia S, Lu Y, Luo S, Qing Y, Wu Y and Parkin IP
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 366, 439-448.  
01-06-2019
Relevant PublicationOne‐step synthesis of Ag@PS nanospheres via flash nanoprecipitation
Hu X, Zhang Z, Lu Y, Liu R, Sun L, Parkin IP and Zhang X
Applied Organometallic Chemistry, Wiley vol. 33 (3) 
28-01-2019
Relevant PublicationInexpensive and non-fluorinated superhydrophobic concrete coating for anti-icing and anti-corrosion
Song J, Li Y, Xu W, Liu H and Lu Y
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 541, 86-92.  
06-01-2019
Relevant PublicationHigh-efficiency bubble transportation in an aqueous environment on a serial wedge-shaped wettability pattern
Song J, Liu Z, Wang X, Liu H, Lu Y, Deng X, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 7 (22), 13567-13576.  
01-01-2019

2018

Relevant PublicationMultifunctional Porous and Magnetic Silicone with High Elasticity, Durability, and Oil–Water Separation Properties
Wang X, Lu Y, Carmalt CJ, Parkin IP and Zhang X
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 34 (44), 13305-13311.  
16-10-2018
Relevant PublicationA universal method to create surface patterns with extreme wettability on metal substrates
Sun J, Chen C, Song J, Liu J, Yang X, Liu X and Lu Y
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 535, 100-110.  
24-09-2018
Relevant PublicationFabrication of Superhydrophobic Micro Post Array on Aluminum Substrates Using Mask Electrochemical Machining
Sun J, Cheng W, Song J-L, Lu Y, Sun Y-K, Huang L, Liu X, Jin Z-J, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Springer Nature vol. 31 (1) 
20-08-2018
Relevant PublicationElectrochemical machining of superhydrophobic surfaces on mold steel substrates
Song J, Huang W, Liu J, Huang L and Lu Y
Surface and Coatings Technology, Elsevier vol. 344, 499-506.  
01-06-2018
Relevant PublicationPhotocatalytic and electrically conductive transparent Cl-doped ZnO thin films via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition
Jiamprasertboon A, Powell MJ, Dixon SC, Quesada-Cabrera R, Alotaibi AM, Lu Y, Zhuang A, Sathasivam S, Siritanon T, Parkin IP and Carmalt CJ
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (26), 12682-12692.  
01-01-2018
Relevant PublicationEfficiently texturing hierarchical superhydrophobic fluoride-free translucent films by AACVD with excellent durability and self-cleaning ability
Li S, Page K, Sathasivam S, Heale F, He G, Lu Y, Lai Y, Chen G, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (36), 17633-17641.  
01-01-2018
Relevant PublicationRobust platform for water harvesting and directional transport
Luo H, Lu Y, Yin S, Huang S, Song J, Chen F, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (14), 5635-5643.  
01-01-2018

2017

Relevant PublicationComputational Intelligence-Assisted Understanding of Nature-Inspired Superhydrophobic Behavior
Zhang X, Ding B, Cheng R, Dixon SC and Lu Y
Advanced Science, Wiley Open Access vol. 5 (1) 
08-12-2017
Relevant PublicationTable Salt as a Template to Prepare Reusable Porous PVDF–MWCNT Foam for Separation of Immiscible Oils/Organic Solvents and Corrosive Aqueous Solutions
Chen F, Lu Y, Liu X, Song J, He G, Tiwari MK, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 27 (41) 
07-09-2017
Relevant PublicationLarge-Area Fabrication of Droplet Pancake Bouncing Surface and Control of Bouncing State
Song J, Gao M, Zhao C, Lu Y, Huang L, Liu X, Carmalt CJ, Deng X and Parkin IP
Acs Nano, American Chemical Society vol. 11 (9), 9259-9267.  
25-08-2017
Relevant PublicationSelf-standing electrodes with core-shell structures for high-performance supercapacitors
He G, Ling M, Han X, El Amaiem DIA, Shao Y, Li Y, Li W, Ji S, Li B, Lu Y, Zou R, Wang FR, Brett DJL, Guo ZX, Blackman C and Parkin IP
Energy Storage Materials, Elsevier vol. 9, 119-125.  
12-07-2017
Relevant PublicationS, N-Co-Doped Graphene-Nickel Cobalt Sulfide Aerogel: Improved Energy Storage and Electrocatalytic Performance.
He G, Qiao M, Li W, Lu Y, Zhao T, Zou R, Li B, Darr JA, Hu J, Titirici M-M and Parkin IP
Adv Sci (Weinh) vol. 4 (1), 1600214-1600214.  
09-01-2017

2015

Relevant PublicationRobust self-cleaning surfaces that function when exposed to either air or oil
Lu Y, Sathasivam S, Song J, Crick CR, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Science, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 347 (6226), 1132-1135.  
06-03-2015
Relevant PublicationCreating robust superamphiphobic coatings for both hard and soft materials
Chen F, Song J, Lu Y, Huang S, Liu X, Sun J, Carmalt CJ, Parkin IP and Xu W
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 3 (42), 20999-21008.  
01-01-2015

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to the Centre for Chemical Research
solid heart iconWetcat - MSCA PF 2021 Yao Lu/ Guo
Yao Lu
£190,380 EPSRC - EU Scheme
13-04-2023 - 12-04-2025


solid heart iconWettability of functionalised micro and nano particles
Yao Lu
£20,000 Royal Society
09-03-2020 - 08-03-2022