Dr Yao Lu

Senior Lecturer
Tutor Abroad
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
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
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Experimental and Applied Physics2026
Stimuli-responsive shape-morphing soft actuators: metrics, materials, mechanism, design and applicationsSun L Li Z Zhang Y Lu Y Zhang S
Progress in Materials Science, Elsevier vol. 155
01-01-2026
2025
Rattan‐Based Solar Evaporator Hits 3.34 Kg·M−2·h−1 and Long‐Term Salt Resistance via Programmed CarbonizationJia S Qin X Dai S Qing Y Dai J Zhang S Xiao H Chen Y et al.
Advanced Science, Wiley
24-10-2025
Anti-icing and fast deicing of superhydrophobic elastic film with electrothermal heating and pneumatic inflationZhang J Zhang Y Li X Chen Y Zheng H Sun J Lu Y Liu X et al.
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 521
01-10-2025
A droplet splitter: Simple, controlled and efficient droplet splitting using superhydrophobic pyramid structuresLiu Q Su Q Hong Q Lu Y Huang S Feng K
Droplet, Wiley vol. 4 (3)
09-05-2025
Superwettable Nanomaterials: Fabrication, Application, and Environmental ImpactMeng S Lu Y
Acs Nano, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 19 (8), 7417-7433.
20-02-2025
High‐Efficiency Water Collection of Superhydrophobic Condensation AbsorberYan D Lin J Chen Y Yang X Lu Y Song J
Advanced Science, Wiley vol. 12 (13)
10-02-2025
Intelligent manipulation of liquids through the bio-inspired structuring of materialsZhang C Wang L Crick CR Lu Y
Progress in Materials Science, Elsevier vol. 147
01-01-2025
Tough and recyclable hydrogel electrolytes with continuous ion migration pathways for dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries under harsh conditionsCao M Wang Y Zhang Y Yu M Zhao Q Briscoe J Lu Y Yao J
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc)
01-01-2025
Biomass-derived functional additive for highly efficient and stable lead halide perovskite solar cells with built-in lead immobilisationLi J Qiao X He B Zhang Y Pal S Sun L Bilal M Su Z et al.
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 18 (11), 5632-5642.
01-01-2025
2024
Enhanced waterproof performance of superhydrophobic SiO2/PDMS coatingHe S Chen J Lu Y Huang S Feng K
Progress in Organic Coatings, Elsevier vol. 197, 108845-108845.
09-10-2024
Reinforced Nacre‐Like MXene/Sodium Alginate Composite Films for Bioinspired Actuators Driven by Moisture and SunlightSun L Che L Li M Chen K Leng X Long Y Guo X Palma M et al.
Small, Wiley vol. 20 (51)
06-10-2024
Synergistically biomimetic platform that enables droplets to be self-propelledLi M Lu Y Wang Y Huang S Feng K
International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, Iop Publishing vol. 6 (5)
04-07-2024
Bionic design of multi-scale superhydrophobic textures to smash impacted droplets: An anti-icing strategyXin Z Zhang C Wei Z Wang L Lu Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 490
01-06-2024
Versatile and recyclable double-network PVA/cellulose hydrogels for strain sensors and triboelectric nanogenerators under harsh conditionsWang Y Zhang Y Ren P Yu S Cui P Nielsen CB Abrahams I Briscoe J et al.
Nano Energy, Elsevier, 109599-109599.
01-04-2024
Endowing durable icephobicity by combination of a rough powder coating and a superamphiphobic coatingXiao Z Chen C Liu S Liu C Liu W Cheng Z Yu X Lu Y et al.
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 482
01-02-2024
2023
Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Weldable Bilayer Actuator with Programmable Patterns and 3D ShapesSun L Zhao Q Che L Li M Leng X Long Y Lu Y
Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 34 (8)
12-11-2023
A new insight into the design of robust superhydrophobic and fire retardant wood: Breaking the conflicting requirement on adhesivesJia S Deng S Lu Y Wu Y Qing Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 475
01-11-2023
Droplet impacting multi-layer soap bubbles on patterned surfacesJing L Li M Lu Y Huang S
Surfaces and Interfaces, Elsevier vol. 43
21-10-2023
Enhanced performance of heterogeneous fenton-like Co-Cu catalysts for metronidazole degradation: Ethylene glycol as a superior fabrication solventLiu L Li J Guo X Wu H Wu J Dong Y Li Y Lu Y
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Elsevier vol. 11 (5)
01-10-2023
Aqueous Fabrication of Recyclable and Color-Adjustable Superhydrophobic Pigments Based on NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Nanostructures for Coating ApplicationsWang F Wang J Gao P Wang Y Ma W Zhang Z Men X Lu Y
Acs Applied Nano Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 6 (18), 16555-16566.
09-09-2023
The Glaze Icing Performance of a Robust Superhydrophobic Film Composed of Epoxy Resin and PolydimethylsiloxaneZhuang A Li C Yu J Lu Y
Coatings, Mdpi vol. 13 (7)
20-07-2023
Sustainable corrosion-resistant superhydrophobic composite coating with strengthened robustnessQiao M Ji G Lu Y Zhang B
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 121, 215-227.
01-05-2023
Inside Front Cover, Volume 2, Number 2, April 2023Yang X Qi B Lu Y Zhang W Wang X
Droplet, Wiley vol. 2 (2)
01-04-2023
Zero‐waste emission design of sustainable and programmable actuatorsSun L Che L Li M Neal WG Leng X Long Y Jia Y Gao Y et al.
Susmat, Wiley vol. 3 (2), 207-221.
06-03-2023
Bionic surface diode for droplet steeringYang X Qi B Lu Y Zhang W Wang X
Droplet, Wiley Open Access
09-02-2023
Bamboo-shaped pumpless platform for long-distance and lossless droplet transportHuang S Li M Shu C Su Q Lu Y Feng K
Applied Surface Science, Elsevier vol. 609
01-01-2023
2022
Robust and durable liquid-repellent surfaces.Chen F Wang Y Tian Y Zhang D Song J Crick CR Carmalt CJ Parkin IP et al.
Chemical Society Reviews, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 51 (20), 8476-8583.
03-10-2022
Front Cover, Volume 1, Number 2, October 2022Leng X Sun L Long Y Lu Y
Droplet, Wiley vol. 1 (2), i-i.
01-10-2022
Bioinspired superwetting materials for water manipulationLeng X Sun L Long Y Lu Y
Droplet, Wiley vol. 1 (2), 139-169.
01-10-2022
Green self-propelling swimmer driven by rain dropletsChen Y Yan D Liu R Lu Y Zhao D Deng X Song J
Nano Energy, Elsevier vol. 101, 107543-107543.
07-07-2022
Rational Design of Durable Anti-fouling Coatings with High Transparency, Hardness, and FlexibilityGao P Wang Y Wang J Wang F Ma W Zhang Z Men X Lu Y
Acs Applied Materials and Interfaces, American Chemical Society vol. 14 (25), 29156-29166.
29-06-2022
Saturated Surface Charging on Micro/Nanoporous Polytetrafluoroethylene for Droplet ManipulationYang X Li Y Zheng H Lu Y
Acs Applied Nano Materials, American Chemical Society
24-02-2022
Green Self-Propelling Swimmer Driven by Rain DropletsChen Y Liu R Yan D Lu Y Zhao D Deng X Song J
In Ssrn Electronic Journal
01-01-2022
2021
Architecture-Driven Fast Droplet Transport without Mass LossZhuang K Lu Y Wang X Yang X
Langmuir: The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids, American Chemical Society vol. 37 (43), 12519-12528.
04-11-2021
Liquid-like Transparent and Flexible Coatings for Anti-graffiti ApplicationsLu Y
Progress in Organic Coatings, Elsevier
10-09-2021
Robust Micro-Nanostructured Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Long-Term Dropwise CondensationTang Y Yang X Li Y Lu Y Zhu D
Nano Letters, American Chemical Society
02-09-2021
Design Robust, Degradable and Recyclable Superhydrophobic MaterialsLu Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier
18-04-2021
Photolithography-Assisted Precise Patterning of Nanocracks for Ultrasensitive Strain SensorsLu Y
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry
20-01-2021
A coating-free superhydrophobic sensing material for full-range human motion and microliter droplet impact detectionLu Y
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier
07-01-2021
The challenges, achievements and applications of submersible superhydrophobic materialsMehanna YA Sadler E Upton RL Kempchinsky AG Lu Y Crick CR
Chemical Society Reviews, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 50 (11), 6569-6612.
01-01-2021
2020
Unprecedented enhancement of wear resistance for epoxy-resin graphene compositesLu Y
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry
21-12-2020
Creation of Topological Ultra-Slippery Surfaces for Droplet Motion ControlLu Y
Acs Nano, American Chemical Society
30-11-2020
Nanocrack-based strain sensorsLu Y
Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Royal Society of Chemistry
19-11-2020
Energy Conversion Based on Superhydrophobic SurfacesLu Y
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry
13-10-2020
Durable Fire Retardant, Superhydrophobic, Abrasive Resistant and Air/UV Stable CoatingsLu Y
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier
21-07-2020
A simple, inexpensive and environmental-friendly electrochemical etching method to fabricate superhydrophobic GH4169 surfacesLu Y
Surface and Coatings Technology, Elsevier
10-07-2020
Nanoscale SiO2-coated superhydrophobic meshes via electro-spray deposition for oil-water separationLu Y
Powder Technology, Elsevier
20-06-2020
Self-healing on mismatched fractured composite surfaces of SiC with a diameter of 180 nmLu Y
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry
09-06-2020
Bamboo-joint-like platforms for fast, long-distance, directional and spontaneous transport of fluidsLu Y
Biomicrofluidics, Aip Publishing
19-05-2020
Macroscale 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 et al.
Advanced Science, Wiley Open Access vol. 7 (4), 2070023-2070023.
19-02-2020
Macroscale superlubricity enabled by graphene coated surfacesLu Y
Advanced Science, Wiley Open Access
19-01-2020
2019
Robust 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 et al.
Acs Applied Materials and Interfaces, American Chemical Society
06-11-2019
TiO2 nanotube arrays decorated with Au and Bi2S3 nanoparticles for efficient Fe3+ ions detection and dye photocatalytic degradationHuang J Shen J Li S Cai J Wang S Lu Y He J Carmalt CJ et al.
Journal of Materials Science and Technology, Elsevier vol. 39, 28-38.
27-09-2019
Superhydrophilic-Superhydrophobic Patterned Surfaces on Glass Substrate for Water HarvestingLu Y
Journal of Materials Science, Springer Verlag
23-09-2019
Low-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 Carmalt CJ
Acs Appl Electron Mater vol. 1 (8), 1408-1417.
27-08-2019
Unprecedented piezoresistance coefficient in strained silicon carbide.Cui J Zhang Z Liu D Zhang D Hu W Zou L Lu Y Zhang C et al.
Nano Lett
07-08-2019
Heterojunction α‐Fe2O3/ZnO Films with Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties Grown by Aerosol‐Assisted Chemical Vapour DepositionJiamprasertboon A Kafizas A Sachs M Ling M Alotaibi AM Lu Y Siritanon T Parkin IP et al.
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 25 (48), 11337-11345.
01-08-2019
Ultrahigh 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 et al.
Acs Nano vol. 13 (7), 7483-7492.
04-06-2019
Thermally-induced all-damage-healable superhydrophobic surface with photocatalytic performance from hierarchical BiOClJia S Lu Y Luo S Qing Y Wu Y Parkin IP
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 366, 439-448.
01-06-2019
One‐step synthesis of Ag@PS nanospheres via flash nanoprecipitationHu X Zhang Z Lu Y Liu R Sun L Parkin IP Zhang X
Applied Organometallic Chemistry, Wiley vol. 33 (3)
28-01-2019
Inexpensive and non-fluorinated superhydrophobic concrete coating for anti-icing and anti-corrosionSong J Li Y Xu W Liu H Lu Y
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 541, 86-92.
06-01-2019
High-efficiency bubble transportation in an aqueous environment on a serial wedge-shaped wettability patternSong J Liu Z Wang X Liu H Lu Y Deng X Carmalt CJ Parkin IP
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 7 (22), 13567-13576.
01-01-2019
2018
Multifunctional Porous and Magnetic Silicone with High Elasticity, Durability, and Oil–Water Separation PropertiesWang X Lu Y Carmalt CJ Parkin IP Zhang X
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 34 (44), 13305-13311.
16-10-2018
A universal method to create surface patterns with extreme wettability on metal substratesSun J Chen C Song J Liu J Yang X Liu J Liu X Lu Y
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 535, 100-110.
24-09-2018
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Micro Post Array on Aluminum Substrates Using Mask Electrochemical MachiningSun J Cheng W Song J-L Lu Y Sun Y-K Huang L Liu X Jin Z-J et al.
Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Springer Nature vol. 31 (1)
20-08-2018
Electrochemical machining of superhydrophobic surfaces on mold steel substratesSong J Huang W Liu J Huang L Lu Y
Surface and Coatings Technology, Elsevier vol. 344, 499-506.
01-06-2018
Photocatalytic and electrically conductive transparent Cl-doped ZnO thin films via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour depositionJiamprasertboon A Powell MJ Dixon SC Quesada-Cabrera R Alotaibi AM Lu Y Zhuang A Sathasivam S et al.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (26), 12682-12692.
01-01-2018
Efficiently texturing hierarchical superhydrophobic fluoride-free translucent films by AACVD with excellent durability and self-cleaning abilityLi S Page K Sathasivam S Heale F He G Lu Y Lai Y Chen G et al.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (36), 17633-17641.
01-01-2018
Robust platform for water harvesting and directional transportLuo H Lu Y Yin S Huang S Song J Chen F Chen F Carmalt CJ et al.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (14), 5635-5643.
01-01-2018
2017
Computational Intelligence-Assisted Understanding of Nature-Inspired Superhydrophobic BehaviorZhang X Ding B Cheng R Dixon SC Lu Y
Advanced Science, Wiley Open Access vol. 5 (1)
08-12-2017
Table Salt as a Template to Prepare Reusable Porous PVDF–MWCNT Foam for Separation of Immiscible Oils/Organic Solvents and Corrosive Aqueous SolutionsChen F Lu Y Liu X Song J He G Tiwari MK Carmalt CJ Parkin IP
Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 27 (41)
07-09-2017
Large-Area Fabrication of Droplet Pancake Bouncing Surface and Control of Bouncing StateSong J Gao M Zhao C Lu Y Huang L Liu X Carmalt CJ Deng X et al.
Acs Nano, American Chemical Society vol. 11 (9), 9259-9267.
25-08-2017
Self-standing electrodes with core-shell structures for high-performance supercapacitorsHe G Ling M Han X El Amaiem DIA Shao Y Li Y Li W Ji S et al.
Energy Storage Materials, Elsevier vol. 9, 119-125.
12-07-2017
S, 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 et al.
Adv Sci (Weinh) vol. 4 (1), 1600214-1600214.
09-01-2017
2015
Robust self-cleaning surfaces that function when exposed to either air or oilLu Y Sathasivam S Song J Crick CR Carmalt CJ Parkin IP
Science, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 347 (6226), 1132-1135.
06-03-2015
Creating robust superamphiphobic coatings for both hard and soft materialsChen F Song J Lu Y Huang S Liu X Sun J Carmalt CJ Parkin IP et al.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 3 (42), 20999-21008.
01-01-2015
Sacrificial layer-assisted nanoscale transfer printingLu Y
Microsystems and Nanoengineering, Springer Nature [Academic Journals on Nature.Com]
Comparison Study of Self-Cleaning, Anti-Icing, and Durable Corrosion Resistance of Superhydrophobic and Lubricant-Infused Ultraslippery SurfacesLu Y
Langmuir: The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids, American Chemical Society
Grants
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Experimental and Applied Physics
Novel Sustainable Fluorine-Free Antifouling Coatings with High-Performance and Low-CostYao Lu
£33,010 Innovate UK
26-08-2025 - 18-12-2025
Sustainable Fluorine-Free Omniphobic Anti-Fouling Coatings with High Transparency, DurabilityYao Lu
£2,500 Innovate UK
01-05-2025 - 31-07-2025
Wettability of functionalised micro and nano particlesYao Lu
£20,000 Royal Society
09-03-2020 - 08-03-2022
Research Group
PhD Students
- Rafael Domingos Pinto
Design and Fabrication of Micro Actuating Devices For Controlling Wettability - Siyu Meng
Designing a Novel Thermal Insulation System With Advanced Artificial Intelligence Techniques - Maria Rojas Rojas Ruiz
Metal and Metallic Ceramics as Building Blocks For Complex Nanostructures
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