abstract: In a laboratory setting, the soil volume change behavior is best represented by using various testing standards on undisturbed or remolded samples. Whenever possible, it is most precise to use undisturbed samples to assess the volume change behavior but in the absence of undisturbed specimens, remodeled samples can be used. If that is the case, the soil is compacted to in-situ density and water content (or matric suction), which should best represent the expansive profile in question. It is standard practice to subject the specimen to a wetting process at a particular net normal stress. Even though currently accepted laboratory testing standard procedures provide insight on how the profile conditions changes with time, these procedures do not assess the long term effects on the soil due to climatic changes. In this experimental study, an assessment and quantification of the effect of multiple wetting/drying cycles on the volume change behavior of two different naturally occurring soils was performed. The changes in wetting and drying cycles were extreme when comparing the swings in matric suction. During the drying cycle, the expansive soil was subjected to extreme conditions, which decreased the moisture content less than the shrinkage limit. Nevertheless, both soils were remolded at five different compacted conditions and loaded to five different net normal stresses. Each sample was subjected to six wetting and drying cycles. During the assessment, it was evident from the results that the swell/collapse strain is highly non-linear at low stress levels. The strain-net normal stress relationship cannot be defined by one single function without transforming the data. Therefore, the dataset needs to be fitted to a bi-modal logarithmic function or to a logarithmic transformation of net normal stress in order to use a third order polynomial fit. It was also determined that the moisture content changes with time are best fit by non-linear functions. For the drying cycle, the radial strain was determined to have a constant rate of change with respect to the axial strain. However, for the wetting cycle, there was not enough radial strain data to develop correlations and therefore, an assumption was made based on 55 different test measurements/observations, for the wetting cycles. In general, it was observed that after each subsequent cycle, higher swelling was exhibited for lower net normal stress values; while higher collapse potential was observed for higher net normal stress values, once the net normal stress was less than/greater than a threshold net normal stress value. Furthermore, the swelling pressure underwent a reduction in all cases. Particularly, the Anthem soil exhibited a reduction in swelling pressure by at least 20 percent after the first wetting/drying cycle; while Colorado soil exhibited a reduction of 50 percent. After about the fourth cycle, the swelling pressure seemed to stabilized to an equilibrium value at which a reduction of 46 percent was observed for the Anthem soil and 68 percent reduction for the Colorado soil. The impact of the initial compacted conditions on heave characteristics was studied. Results indicated that materials compacted at higher densities exhibited greater swell potential. When comparing specimens compacted at the same density but at different moisture content (matric suction), it was observed that specimens compacted at higher suction would exhibit higher swelling potential, when subjected to the same net normal stress. The least amount of swelling strain was observed on specimens compacted at the lowest dry density and the lowest matric suction (higher water content). The results from the laboratory testing were used to develop ultimate heave profiles for both soils. This analysis showed that even though the swell pressure for each soil decreased with cycles, the amount of heave would increase or decrease depending upon the initial compaction condition. When the specimen was compacted at 110% of optimum moisture content and 90% of maximum dry density, it resulted in an ultimate heave reduction of 92 percent for Anthem and 685 percent for Colorado soil. On the other hand, when the soils were compacted at 90% optimum moisture content and 100% of the maximum dry density, Anthem specimens heave 78% more and Colorado specimens heave was reduced by 69%. Based on the results obtained, it is evident that the current methods to estimate heave and swelling pressure do not consider the effect of wetting/drying cycles; and seem to fail capturing the free swell potential of the soil. Recommendations for improvement current methods of practice are provided. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2013

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No description available.

This serves to introduce the present research and is chiefly historical. It deals briefly with methods of assessing the coking ability of coals and also with early modern, and contemporary investigations upon coke formation. The author's earlier work on the distillation of oil from coals is described fully since it forms both the starting point and the basis of the present research. This work showed the power of retention of oil which is capable of 'wetting' the surface of the coal, up to temperatures of 420 degrees C., was an essential characteristic of coking coals. Part II deals with attempts to add more oil mechanically to improve the coking performance of various coals.

Systematic pre cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment used in examination and treatment of patients are very important for safe care of the patients and the staff handling these instruments. Due to the technical properties of stainless steel, its hygienic experience and the sophisticated look of the stainless steel, it has dominated the medical health care environments for decades. The wetting properties of stainless steel surfaces are presumed to be essential for the process of clean ability and for a wide variety of bio compatibility.In collaboration with the topical company for this thesis, the idea is to find the correlation between the surface properties of various stainless steel in relation to their wetting and spreading ability to enable efficient cleaning of the surface. For a substrate surface to be thoroughly cleaned of any debris or soil, it should be able to allow proper adherence of the liquid across its surface to a certain degree good enough to ensure good wettability of the surface and conversely easy and proper removal of any attached soil on the surface. Higher demand on cleaning, disinfection and sterilization processes became more and more pressing due the development of complex medical equipment.Different stainless steel (316L) surface finishes and some surgical equipment are investigated using the state of the equipment at Halmstad University. Using the imaging interferometer and mapping software, Mountain Map, the results obtained is controlled readings and classification of the various surface parameters. Contact angle measurements were carried out on each surface with three polar (Distilled water, Glycerol and Ethylene glycol) and one non polar (Olive Oil) probe liquids with a drop volume of 3μm using Theta Optical Tensiometer and One Attention Software for the analysis. The impact and correlations of the surface parameters on wettability was later compared from the measurements obtained.

Objective A cross sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire to establish the prevalence and causative factors of nocturnal enuresis in 5-10 year old South African children. Subjects and methods A questionnaire was distributed to the parents of 4700 school going children between the ages of 5-10 years in selected areas of Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape in South Africa. Where permission was granted, schools listed in these areas, and schools from different socio-economic areas (suburbs differing in affluence), were contacted telephonically. Those willing to participate were included in the study. Parents anonymously filled out the questionnaire and returned it to school. Data were reported as frequency and percentages in tables and graphs. The Chi-square test was used to compare proportions between groups with Fisher’s Exact test used to correct for small numbers of observations (n<5). Age differences were determined using Student’s t-test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The questionnaire response rate was 72.1%. The overall prevalence of nocturnal enuresis was 16.0%, 14.4% for mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 1.6% for daytime incontinence. A positive family history was found in 50.5% children and constipation was a problem in 16.0% of children with enuresis. Various stress factors were linked to enuresis according to vi the parents’ perceptions. Only 28.3% had received a form of treatment and 13.5% had been treated by a doctor. A higher prevalence rate of enuresis could not be linked to a lower socio-economic grouping. Parents’ awareness of treatment modalities available to their children is outdated and most of the management of the problem was done by the parents themselves. Conclusion These results suggest that the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis and associated causative factors in South Africa is similar to the prevalence in other countries, although it is difficult to compare these prevalence rates as studies use different inclusion criteria.

Syftet med rapporten är att utvärdera och jämföra två standarder, AATCC Test method 198-2011: Horizontal Wicking of Textiles och AATCC Test method 197-2011: Vertical Wicking of Textiles. Standarderna publicerades år 2011 av American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. Standarderna mäter wicking, det vill säga, med vilken hastighet som vätska transporteras genom textil, med en horisontell och en vertikal testmetod. Hastigheten anges i olika enheter beroende på standard, enheten för AATCC Test method 197-2011: Vertical Wicking of Textiles är mm/s och AATCC Test method 198-2011: Horizontal Wicking of Textiles anges i mm2/s. Skillnaden i enhet och mätmetod innebär att standarderna inte kan jämföras rakt av genom resultat och mätvärden mellan de båda standarderna. Utvärderingen kan därför endast utföras med hjälp av mätprecision, vilken standard som kan tillämpas på flest tygkvaliteter och hur nära mätresultatet ligger verkligheten i vardera standard. Ytterligare en del i rapporten är att undersöka om tygkvaliteter som kan testas av standarderna före tvätt, förändrar sina egenskaper efter tvätt så att en provning är möjlig.Provningen utfördes enligt den metod från standarder i en standardiserad miljö på Textil och läderlaboratoriet i Stockholm. Testmetoden för AATCC Test method 198-2011: Horizontal Wicking of Textiles är att droppa vätska på ett horisontellt placerat tygprov. Mätningen tar ingen hänsyn till vätskans spridningsriktning i tyget. Testmetoden för AATCC Test method 197-2011: Vertical Wicking of Textiles är att en tygremsa placeras i en bägare så att ena kortänden har kontakt med vätskan och transporteras upp i tygprovet. Testet har två olika nivåer att mäta hastigheten vid, en kort och en lång. Provning sker med tygprover i både varp- och väftriktning, då riktningen påverkar resultatet.För att få en indikation på vilka material som kan tillämpas på vardera standard utförs testmetoderna på provmaterial med en stor variationsbredd i materialkomposition, konstruktion och behandling. Provresultaten skiljer standarderna åt och en tydlig trend visar att den ena standarden gav ett mer tillförlitligt resultat än den andra oberoende av variation på material.Standard AATCC Test method 197-2011: Vertical Wicking of Textiles kan tillämpas på fler tygkvaliteter än standard AATCC Test method 198-2011: Horizontal Wicking of Textiles. Ingen av standarderna kunde appliceras på hydrofoba tygkvaliteter. För standard AATCC Test method 198-2011: Horizontal Wicking of Textiles var vätskemängden för stor för att vissa av de utvalda tygkvaliteterna skulle kunna absorbera och transportera vätska. Vätskan droppade igenom tyget och gav ett ej tillförlitlig mätresultat av wicking. Med stöd i en statistiskanalys och jämförelse mellan standarderna gav även AATCC Test method 197-2011: Vertical Wicking of Textiles ett statistiskt säkrare provresultat med lägre varians i de olika materialen. Provmaterial som inte var tillämpbara på standarderna ändrade ej sina egenskaper efter en tvättbehandling i så stor utsträckning att en tillämpning på någon av standarderna kunde göras.The aim of this study where to evaluate two standards, Horizontal Wicking of Textiles: AATCC Test Method 198-2011 and Vertical Wicking of Textiles: AATCC Test Method 197-2011. They where published in 2011 by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. Both of them measure the wicking rate through a textile. The two standards measures two different units, for Test Method 197-2011 it´s mm/s and for Test Method 198-2011 it´s mm2/s. The difference in units results in different applications. Therefore the evaluation between them only concerns measurements precision, the materials range of variation within each standard and how near the true value the measurements are to reality. An additional parameter that were analyzed is how applicable material for the standards changes characteristics, if the material becomes applicable after one washing treatment or not.The test where conducted according to the standards in a standard environment at the Textile and Leather Laboratory in Stockholm. The course of action for Test Method 198-2011 where to drip liquid unto a horizontal placed impactor. Then measure the longest way the liquid wicked in warp and weft direction. Test Method 197-2011 where conducted in both warp and weft direction, which gave a markedly difference in the responses. The method´s execution where to place a fabric strip in an Erlenmeyer flask containing liquid. The fabric strip where placed so only the tip where under the surface. There where to levels where measures was supposed to be taken, one short and one long.By contucting the test methods on materials that had a range of variation in fiber contents, construction and finishing, gave an indication of what kind of material that could be evaluated in each standard. The results differed the standards and a distinct trend showed that one of the standards had a more reliable result than the other, independent of the range of variation in the materials. Test Method 197-2011 could be used on every material in this study expect from the ones that where hydrophobic. This was a significant difference from Test Method 198-2011. The method had a quantity of liquid that much of the materials couldn´t absorb and wick. The liquid dripped through and gave a not reliable result. With the support of a statistical analysis and comparison between the standards, the Test Method 197-2011 gave a statistical reliable result with a lower variance in most of the materials. The materials that were not applicable on the standards did not change its characteristics after one washing, which did not make it more suitable for the standards. / Program: Textilingenjörsutbildningen

Bicontinuous Pickering emulsions (or bijels) are a relatively new class of novel soft material with many potential industrial applications, including microfluidics, tissue engineering and catalysis. They are typically formed by initiating the spinodal decomposition of a binary liquid mixture in the presence of neutrally-wetting colloidal particles. The particles attach at the liquid-liquid interface and arrest the phase separation by jamming when the concentration of particles approaches the 2D close-packing limit. Predicted by simulations in 2005 and realized in the laboratory in 2007, many aspects of the bijels complex behaviour and properties have remained unexplored. This thesis expands the knowledge of the bijels structural and dynamical properties, while focusing specifically on the role of particle size. The bijels porosity (average interfacial separation L) according to simulations can be controlled by varying the size r and volume fraction ϕ of particles in the system (L ∝ r/ϕ). The inverse scaling of L with ϕ has been verified for one size of particle, but to access smaller values of L (to allow the structure to be used for a wider range of industrial applications) the scaling with r must be tested. Chapter 3 presents the first systematic study of reducing particle size in bijels made with the liquid pair water/lutidine (W/L).We find that a five-fold reduction in r only requires moderate modification to preparation methods (concentrations of reactants during particle synthesis and increased particle sonication time) and in principle allows L values of between 1 & 10 μm to be accessed in the W/L system, where previously 10 μm was the limit. We demonstrate that this reduced lower bound of L can be translated into a lower bound for polymerized bijels also. Unfortunately, reducing particle size even further (in the same way) reveals a law of diminishing returns, as the uptake fraction of particles to the interface also reduces as we reduce particle size. Hence, to reduce lengthscale even further, a new bijel fabrication paradigm is required. Unexpectedly, we find that the temperature quench rate becomes less important for smaller particles (which constitutes a direct material synthesis advantage) and develop a new theoretical framework to take account of this observation. Large particles promote domain pinch-off during the coarsening (due to a larger driving force towards spontaneous curvature) resulting in bijel failure when slow rates are used because the time required to jam is greater than the time required for depercolation. To further probe the bijels structure as a function of particle size and quench rate, and to account for the success/failure scenarios which seem not to depend on L, in Chapter 4 we quantitatively characterize the morphology by measuring distributions of interfacial curvatures. By computing area-averaged quantities to make valid comparisons, we find that smaller particles and faster quench rates produce bijels with greater hyperbolic `open' character, aligning with our understanding of bijel formation gained from Chapter 3. We compare to simulated bijel data and an estimate of the hyperbolicity of the bare liquids undergoing spinodal decomposition, validating the results. In addition, we uncover a time-dependent `mutation' of the curvature distributions when large particles are used, but not when smaller particles or a different liquid pair is used. The mutation appears to correlate with the propensity of the interfacial particles to form a 'monogel', whereby the interfacial particles develop permanent bonds and remain as a 3D percolating network after the interface is removed, although the precise mechanism of the mutation is still to be verified. Following the results from Chapters 3 & 4 it is clear that there are potentially microscopic phenomena in the bijel which result in macroscopic aging and/or a determination of macroscopic structural properties. To investigate further, we use diffusing-wave spectroscopy (a form of light scattering) to probe the microscopic dynamics of the interfacial particles and/or the particle-laden liquid-liquid (L-L) interface. We find that bijel dynamics show two-step (fast/slow) decay behaviour, with the dynamics slowing as the system ages. The two-step decay is very similar to that observed in colloidal gels formed by diffusion-limited cluster aggregation (DLCA), with the initial (fast) decay due to thermally-activated modes of the gel network, and the later (slow) decay due to the relaxation of internal stresses induced by gel syneresis. For a bijel, the internal stresses could be due to syneresis, but could also be due to the jamming transition and/or the monogelation process and/or the forces acting on the L-L interface by the particle layer. In terms of the aging, if the system does not form a monogel, the correlation functions can be (almost) rescaled on to a master curve, indicating the property of universal aging. If the system does monogel, the functions cannot be superimposed, implicating the monogelation process as a potential cause for a different kind of aging in this system. Due to the interesting differences found when changing the size of the stabilizing particles in a bijel, in Chapter 6 we combine large and small particles (making `bimodal' bijels) and look for evidence of particle segregation by size, quantitatively estimate the ratio of particle uptake fractions and measure kinetics. Larger particles are found to adsorb to the interface in twice the quantity as smaller particles, and we find evidence to suggest the preference of larger particles for interfaces curved in only one direction, corroborating results from previous Chapters. Bimodal bijels take longer to jam than an equivalent monomodal (standard) bijel, which is backed up by simulations and highlights the increased ability of the bimodal particles to reorganise at the interface before arriving at the jammed metastable state. Finally, we also observe that the lengthscale of a bimodal bijel can heavily depend on the quench rate used during the preparation, suggesting that quench rate could be used (as well as particle size, volume fraction and contact angle) as a lengthscale control parameter. This thesis adds to the bijel literature, building on previous experimental studies and verifying/contradicting simulations. Particle size is shown to be a pivotal parameter for bijel formation in the W/L system, with particles of size r = 63 nm proving more versatile (markedly less sensitive to quench rate) than particles of size r ≈ 300 nm. However, even-smaller particles (of the same type) do not provide any additional advantage. We also show how the particle size can not only control bijel porosity (according to L ∝ r/ϕ as predicted by simulations) but can control bijel topology (smaller particles result in structures with greater hyperbolic character). By monitoring the bijel structure over time (topology and dynamics) we have shown that the bijel (in some cases) continues to age for at least c. 1 hr (topology) and in all cases c. 1 day (dynamics). For the first time experimentally, we have used a bimodal dispersion of particles to stabilize a W/L bijel and have uncovered a potentially useful new way to produce samples with different porosities from the same starting mixture, by changing the quench rate. The knowledge of the interplay between particle size and quench rate along with the effect on bijel topology will both assist in the scaling up of processes for industrial-level production and inform future strategies for tailoring the structure for specific applications. Future research should focus on several remaining open questions. The volume fraction of r = 63 nm particles in the W/L system should be increased towards 10% and sonication procedures improved to allow good redispersion to test the lower bound of L, which we expect to be around 1 μm. Also, a new W/L fabrication paradigm should be devised which uses sterically-stabilized particles, to continue the reduction of r towards the value used in simulations (5 nm) in order to test the fundamental physics of bijel formation, specifically what value of interfacial attachment energy is needed for long-term stability. Bijel dynamics can be further probed by using a technique which allows a variation in the probe lengthscale (e.g. / differential dynamic microscopy, DDM), as well as developing a better theoretical model for (multiple) light scattering in a bijel system to arrive at the mechanisms responsible for the anomalous aging, and compare to the predictions of monogelation. Finally, higher magnification/resolution microscopy should be used to look for particle segregation on the liquid-liquid interface (as seen in simulations) and to identify in real-space the locations of the changes in Gaussian curvature over time as measured in Chapter 4.

The need for more efficient blast furnaces is even greater now that there are stricter environmental regulations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Coke within the blast furnace not only supports the furnace bed and allows gas flow, it also carburises liquid iron. The carburisation of iron is one of the most important reactions and must be better understood if the ironmaking process in the blast furnace is to be made more sustainable. By understanding what coke properties influence the rate at which coke dissolves in iron we can predict a coke?s performance and use it to determine its quality. As carbon dissolution rates have only been determined for a few cokes, a systematic and comprehensive study was conducted on the dissolution of carbon from nine Australian cokes into liquid iron. The kinetics of carbon dissolution from Cokes A to I was measured and a range of experimental techniques were used to elucidate the dominant rate influencing factors. The role of coke structure, coke inorganic matter composition and yield and temperature were investigated. Furthermore, the influence of interfacial products and dynamic wettability studies were also conducted. The carburiser cover method was used to measure carbon pick-up as a function of time over the temperature range of 1450-1550 ??C. Fundamental data on the apparent carbon dissolution rate constant (K) in molten iron at 1550 ??C for Cokes A to I were obtained and ranged from K (x 103 s-1) = 0.47 to K (x 103 s-1) = 14.7. The wide variation in K showed that not all cokes dissolve at similar rates. In fact one of the nine cokes in this investigation dissolved at a rate comparable to graphite dissolution rates. The apparent carbon dissolution activation energy, Ea, for two of the nine cokes plus synthetic graphite (SG) was also determined. The Ea obtained for SG (Ea = 54 kJ / mol) was in agreement with literature values and was consistent with a diffusion controlled mechanism. The observed Ea values for Cokes D and F (313 kJ / mol and 479 kJ / mol respectively) are an order of magnitude larger than the Ea obtained for SG. The difference in Ea between cokes and SG does not appear to be solely due to differences in the structure of the carbon source. The difference in Ea between the cokes was attributed to differences in their inorganic matter composition. The interfacial contact area is a function of inorganic matter yield and composition, which in turn is a function of temperature. Therefore, as temperature decreases the slag / ash layer produced at the carbon / iron interface can increase in area and viscosity and thus hinder carbon dissolution and transfer, and increasing the apparent activation energy for carbon dissolution. Thus, the differences in viscosity and melting temperature of the interfacial product play a key role. Wettability experiments were carried out using the sessile drop technique. The wettability of Cokes D, F and G with liquid iron at 1550 ??C was measured as a function of time. All three coke samples showed non-wetting behaviour with contact angles ranging between 123-129?? in the initial stages and between 109-114?? after two hours of contact. The differences in the wettability of the three coke samples could not explain the large differences in dissolution rates observed between these cokes. Thus, the wettability of these coke samples was not considered a dominant factor in influencing the rate of carbon dissolution. The sessile drop technique was also used to study the interfacial products formed at the coke / iron interface. The interfacial products formed on the underside of the iron droplet after contact with Cokes F and G were initially different in regards to the morphology and chemical composition. The interfacial product formed with Coke G had a network or mesh like structure that seemed to wet the iron droplet much better than the interfacial product formed with Coke F. In contrast, Fe globules and discrete interfacial products were observed in Coke F. It was suggested that this was due to differences in inorganic matter content, especially in calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S) content in the coke. Formation of interfacial products containing sulfides, such as calcium sulfide (CaS) and manganese sulfide (MnS), were observed on the iron side of the interface of both Cokes F and G. As a result, the interfacial products can act as a physical barrier blocking iron and coke contact, thus reducing the contact area for carbon dissolution and decreasing the rate of carbon dissolution. The presence of MnS may act to lower the liquidus temperature of the interfacial product, which in turn can affect the overall viscosity of the interfacial layer. Thus, the deposition of reaction products at the interfacial region can have a significant effect on carbon dissolution rates. The mineral pyrrhotite was also identified as a significant factor in influencing the rate of carbon dissolution. Electron dispersive X-ray analyses of Coke F identified iron to be in close association with sulfur. These Fe / S species have atomic ratio similar to pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS) or troilite (FeS). Pyrrhotite in coke can decompose to release gaseous sulfur and metallic iron, which can be carburised by carbon in the surrounding area to form Fe-C particles. Thus, carburisation of liquid iron can occur via Fe-C particles. There was little difference in structure between the nine coke samples and therefore the high dissolution rates of Coke F, cannot be explained on the basis of crystallite size or anisotropic carbon content. Inorganic matter yield and composition were identified as the dominant rate influencing factors on carbon dissolution. More specifically: - High content of iron phases, such as iron oxides and pyrrhotite, can lead to an increase in carbon dissolution rates. This maybe due to increased amounts of Fe-C particles that are formed upon the reduction of magnetite and decomposition of pyrrhotite, and carried through the slag layer to carburise the bulk liquid iron. - High aluminium oxide content can lead to a decrease in carbon dissolution rates. This maybe due to higher ash fusion / melting temperature or decrease in wettability, both of which lead to a decrease in carbon / iron contact area. - Formation of interfacial products, such as CaS and MnS, can lead to a decrease in carbon dissolution rates. Such products can act as a physical barrier blocking iron and coke contact, thus reducing the contact area for carbon dissolution. However, the presence of MnS may act to lower the liquidus temperature of the interfacial product. - An increase in temperature increases the rate of carbon dissolution. This dependence is predominantly due to the composition of the inorganic matter present in cokes, which influences the viscosity and melting point of the interfacial product formed and hence contact area between coke and iron.

Graphene-based materials have generated tremendous interest in the past decade. Manipulating their characteristics using wet-chemistry methods holds distinctive value, as it provides a means towards scaling up, while not being limited by yield. The majority of this thesis focuses on the surface functionalization of graphene oxide (GO), which has drawn tremendous attention as a tunable precursor due to its readily chemically manipulable surface and richly functionalized basal plane. Firstly, a room-temperature based method is presented to reduce GO stepwise, with each organic moiety being removed sequentially. Characterization confirms the carbonyl group to be reduced first, while the tertiary alcohol is reduced last, as the optical gap decrease from 3.5 eV down to 1 eV. This provides greater control over GO, which is an inhomogeneous system, and is the first study to elucidate the order of removal of each functional group. In addition to organically manipulating GO, this thesis also reports a chemical methodology to inorganically functionalize GO and tune its wetting characteristics. A chemical method to covalently attach fluorine atoms in the form of tertiary alkyl fluorides is reported, and confirmed by MAS 13C NMR, as two forms of fluorinated graphene oxide (FGO) with varying C/F and C/O ratios are synthesized. Introducing C-F bonds decreases the overall surface free energy, which drastically reduces GO’s wetting behavior, especially in its highly fluorinated form. Ease of solution processing leads to development of sprayable inks that are deposited on a range of porous and non-porous surfaces to impart amphiphobicity. This is the first report that tunes the wetting characteristics of GO. Lastly as a part of a collaboration with ConocoPhillips, another class of carbon nanomaterials - carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been inorganically functionalized to repel 30 wt% MEA, a critical solvent in CO2 recovery. In addition to improving the solution processability of CNTs, composite, homogeneous solutions are created with polysulfones and polyimides to fabricate CNT-polymer nanocomposites that display contact angles greater than 150o with 30 wt% MEA. This yields materials that are inherently supersolvophobic, instead of simply surface treating polymeric films, while the low density of fluorinated CNTs makes them a better alternative to superhydrophobic polymer materials.