Chuangqi Zhao

were successfully developed. Moreover, the strategy was extended to the synthesis of crystalline zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 thin film, which exhibited high application potential.

Liquid spreading is of significant interest in science and technology. Although surface topography engineering and liquid surface-tension regulating can facilitate spreading, the spreading layers in these strategies are inevitably inhomogeneous or contaminated with surfactants. Herein, we show a general strategy to realize the superspreading of liquids on mutually soluble gel surfaces. The cooperation of the hydraulic pressure under liquid phase and liquid-like property of gel surfaces can dramatically eliminate the local pinning effect and enhance the advancement of three-phase contact line, thus forming stable and homogeneous superspreading liquid layers. Such liquid layers can be converted into various functional thin polymer films with controlled thicknesses (nm- to µm-scale) through one-step polymerization of the reactants. Our strategy offers opportunities for large-scale synthesis of versatile functional thin films for various applications.

Engineering surface wettability is of great importance in academic research and practical applications. The exploration of hydrogel-based natural surfaces with superior properties has revealed new design principles of surface superwettability. Gels are composed of a cross-linked polymer network that traps numerous solvents through weak interactions. The natural fluidity of the trapped solvents confers the liquid-like property to gel surfaces, making them significantly different from solid surfaces. Bioinspired gel surfaces have shown promising applications in diverse fields. This work aims to summarize the fundamental understanding and emerging applications of bioinspired gel surfaces with superwettability and special adhesion. First, several typical hydrogel-based natural surfaces with superwettability and special adhesion are briefly introduced, followed by highlighting the unique properties and design principles of gel-based surfaces. Then, the superwettability and emerging applications of bioinspired gel surfaces, including liquid/liquid separation, antiadhesion of organisms and solids, and fabrication of thin polymer films, are presented in detail. Finally, an outlook on the future development of these novel gel surfaces is also provided.