About

Professor Mustafa Akbulut is the Principal Investigator at the Coatings and Interface Science Lab, where his research centers on Transformative Interface Science spanning Advanced Coatings to Complex Fluids and beyond. His group investigates fundamental aspects of Surface Science, including adhesion mechanisms, colloidal stability, and particle–surface interactions. This foundational work supports the engineering of next-generation Coatings and Surface Engineering solutions such as antifouling and biomedical coatings, corrosion inhibition, and drag reduction. Additionally, the lab develops innovative Colloidal Systems for applications in drug delivery, smart gels, and nano-lubrication. Leveraging breakthroughs in Electronic Materials, including thermal interface materials and advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs), the group aims to improve device performance. Furthermore, Professor Akbulut's lab pioneers Agricultural Innovations, focusing on smart food-contact surfaces, edible films, nano-pesticides, and soil amendments to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and safety in the food and farming industries.

Research topics

• Materials science
• Nanotechnology
• Composite material
• Chemistry
• Chemical engineering
• Ecology
• Organic chemistry
• Engineering
• Biochemical engineering
• Biology
• Chemical physics

Selected publications

• Infusion of 2D Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanosheets into Glass Dielectric PCBs for Enhanced Fracture Toughness, Dielectric Performance, and Solder Wettability in Semiconductor Packaging

  ACS Applied Engineering Materials · 2026-04-04

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  The increasing power densities in advanced microelectronics and power electronics impose thermomechanical and dielectric constraints that exceed the performance limits of conventional polymeric printed circuit board (PCB) substrates. Monolithic silicate glasses offer superior dimensional stability and chemical inertness, yet their application is limited by intrinsic brittleness and poor solder wettability. This study bridges the materials gap through the development of a borosilicate glass-hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanocomposite architecture. The dispersion of exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) hBN nanosheets within the amorphous matrix yields a multifunctional optimization of performance parameters driven by the unique physicochemical properties of the sp2-hybridized filler. Nanomechanical characterization reveals a fundamental transition from catastrophic brittle cleavage to a defect-tolerant fracture regime; the 1.0 wt % composite exhibits a 3-fold amplification in fracture toughness (KIC), rising from 0.82 to 1.45 MPa·m1/2 via crack deflection and platelet bridging mechanisms. This reinforcement is accompanied by a 13% increase in elastic stiffness (Er ≈ 74 GPa), governed by efficient load transfer to the rigid B–N lattice. Electronically, the hybrid structure demonstrates superior insulation performance, achieving a 100% improvement in DC dielectric breakdown strength (9.2 to 18.4 MV/m) through the suppression of Townsend electron avalanches and enhanced electrical treeing tortuosity. Importantly, the low-polarizability hBN phase reduces the bulk dielectric constant (εr) from 3.83 in the pristine glass to 3.02 in the composite, directly mitigating signal propagation latency and capacitive coupling. Surface chemical analysis further confirms a favorable remodeling of interfacial energetics, evidenced by increased moisture resistance (water contact angle shifting from <10° to ∼83°) and enhanced solderability (Pb60Sn40 contact angle reducing from ∼144° to ∼91.5°). These synergistic improvements establish glass-hBN nanocomposites as a promising platform for next-generation wide-bandgap power electronics and high-frequency packaging.

  PublisherDOI

• Tailoring Biopesticides: Amphiphile-Assisted Nanoprecipitation of Azadirachtin within a Glycine Matrix for Sustainable Agriculture, Enhanced Stability, and Larvicidal Efficacy against Fall Armyworm

  ACS Omega · 2025-08-19 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  The limited water solubility and environmental instability of natural pesticidal compounds impede their broader agricultural use.This study reports an amphiphile-assisted nanoprecipitation method to imbibe azadirachtin-rich neem seed extract (NSE) within a glycine carrier matrix, yielding a stable nanocomposite biopesticide.The formulation, prepared using polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate as a stabilizer and glycine as the matrix former, followed by lyophilization, exhibited a hydrodynamic diameter of 8 nm when redispersed in water.This glycine nanopesticide (GNP) significantly improved the photostability of azadirachtin under UV-AB irradiation (2000 W/cm 2 ); spectrophotometric analysis revealed a 27.7% reduction in photodegradation over a 4 day period compared to unformulated NSE powder demonstrated dialysis-based in vitro release assay showed sustained release, with 68.2 2.1% released over 7 days, fitting an exponential model with a time constant of 37.6 h.Contact bioassays against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae revealed enhanced larvicidal potency.LC 50 values showed a 1.5-to 6.6-fold improvement compared to unformulated NSE over 11 days.On day 7, GNP had an LC 50 of 0.13 mg/mL, compared to 0.86 mg/mL for NSE powder.The nanoformulation also improved wettability on tomato leaves, reducing the contact angle from 99.0 1.6(DI water) to 60at a concentration of 100 mg/mL GNP.This approach offers a practical method for improving the stability, delivery, and efficacy of hydrophobic biopesticides.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Organosilanized Hydrophobic Sand for Drought Resilience: Reducing Water Percolation and Enhancing Crop Growth Conditions

  ACS Omega · 2025-08-14

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Recently, increasing frequency and severity of drought events have resulted in significant crop yield reductions worldwide, indicating the critical need for innovative agricultural water management strategies to enhance water use efficiency. Addressing this challenge, we present a novel approach involving the strategic placement of highly hydrophobic sand layers below the subrhizosphere. This method utilizes silica sand modified via a facile, single-step surface treatment, yielding a material with strong hydrophobicity, characterized by a static water contact angle of 133.0 ± 1.0°. Importantly, the modified sand demonstrated stability and retained its hydrophobic properties under simulated adverse agricultural conditions. Systematic investigations of the hydraulic properties revealed that the incorporation of these hydrophobic sand layers substantially controlled the vertical infiltration flux of irrigation water. Specifically, a hydrophobic sand layer with an areal density of 796.5 mg/cm2 extended the water infiltration time by a factor of approximately 5.5 relative to control soil columns, even following 14 days of sustained irrigation. This engineered impedance promotes saturation within the rhizosphere, thereby potentially enhancing the efficiency of root water uptake. Furthermore, experimental observations indicated a positive correlation between the presence of the hydrophobized subsoil layer and the retention of organic matter within the overlying soil matrix, suggesting ancillary benefits for long-term soil fertility maintenance. Consequently, deploying subrhizosphere hydrophobization using organosilanes as a preplanting soil conditioning treatment presents a potentially more applicable strategy for improving water conservation and soil health, particularly in water-scarce agricultural regions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Energy-related contaminants in subterranean waterbodies: The role of geocolloids on facilitated and hindered transport

  Next Sustainability · 2025-01-01 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  The examination of energy byproduct transport and associated contaminant dynamics in geosystems and aquatic ecosystems is important for evaluating the ramifications of energy generation and consumption. This article critically reviews contemporary studies on the influence of aqueous geocolloids in modulating the transport kinetics of energy-related contaminants within subterranean hydrological systems. The primary objectives of this work are to: i) introduce the morphological and physicochemical properties of prevalent geocolloid varieties and explain their formation mechanisms, ii) outline the mechanistic pathways by which geocolloids alter contaminant transport dynamics, and iii) analyze the ramifications for applications such as coal mining, hydraulic fracturing, chemically-enhanced oil recovery, and radionuclide storage. A systematic literature review was conducted, synthesizing findings from experimental investigations, computational simulations, and field observations. These studies reveal that geocolloids can facilitate or impede contaminant mobility by modifying parameters such as effective diffusivity, rheological properties, and interfacial deposition kinetics across multiple spatiotemporal scales. The presence of geocolloids introduces non-linear complexities in contaminant fate and transport that go beyond conventional advection-dispersion models. These topics have significant implications for risk assessment methodologies and remediation strategies related to energy production and waste management in geological formations, particularly in terms of colloid-facilitated contaminant transport and its impact on the vulnerability of waterbodies and geosystems.

  PublisherDOI

• Bioinspired Superhydrophobic Nanocoating Based on Polydopamine and Nanodiamonds to Mitigate Bacterial Attachment to Polyvinyl Chloride Surfaces in Food Industry Environments

  Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · 2024-03-27 · 16 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Typhimurium cells that were able to adsorb onto PVC surfaces over a 24 h period. The use of this fluorine-free superhydrophobic coating on PVC equipment, such as conveyor belts within food production facilities, may help to mitigate bacterial cross-contamination and curb the spread of foodborne illnesses.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Dual-functional superhydrophobic coatings on biodegradable Mg alloys via nano-SiO2 particles assisted surface modification

  Surface and Coatings Technology · 2024-03-11 · 13 citations

  articleCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Integrated Pest Management: An Update on the Sustainability Approach to Crop Protection

  ACS Omega · 2024-09-28 · 204 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emerged as a pest control framework promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture, by adopting a combined strategy to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while improving crop productivity and ecosystem health. This critical review synthesizes the most recent advances in IPM research and practice, mostly focusing on studies published within the past five years. The Review discusses the key components of IPM, including cultural practices, biological control, genetic pest control, and targeted pesticide application, with a particular emphasis on the significant advancements made in biological control and targeted pesticide delivery systems. Recent findings highlight the growing importance of genetic control and conservation biological control, which involves the management of agricultural landscapes to promote natural enemy populations. Furthermore, the recent discovery of novel biopesticides, including microbial agents and plant-derived compounds, has expanded the arsenal of tools available for eco-friendly pest management. Substantial progress has recently also been made in the development of targeted pesticide delivery systems, such as nanoemulsions and controlled-release formulations, which can minimize the environmental impact of pesticides while maintaining their efficacy. The Review also analyzes the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of IPM adoption, showcasing its potential to promote biodiversity conservation and ensure food safety. Case studies from various agroecological contexts demonstrate the successful implementation of IPM programs, highlighting the importance of participatory approaches and effective knowledge exchange among stakeholders. The Review also identifies the main challenges and opportunities for the widespread adoption of IPM, including the need for transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and policy support. In conclusion, this critical review discusses the essential role of IPM components in achieving the sustainable intensification of agriculture, as it seeks to optimize crop production while minimizing adverse environmental impacts and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

  PublisherDOI

• Effect of Harvest Time on Volatile Compounds of the Fruits and Leaves of the Blueberry ( Vaccinium Corymbosum)

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024-01-01

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• A comparative investigation of release kinetics of paclitaxel from natural protein and macromolecular nanocarriers in nanoscale drug delivery systems

  JCIS Open · 2024-07-06 · 26 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Understanding the release behaviour of nanodrugs is a crucial step to better assess and control therapeutic outcomes and unfavourable side effects. Herein, we report a systematic study comparing the release kinetics and thermodynamics of paclitaxel (PTX) from supramolecularly assembled sub-micron particles based on natural macromolecules such as zein, whey, casein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and conventional stabilizers such as pluronic F-127 (poloxamer 407), and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to gain insights into the role of carrier chemistry. For this purpose, nanomedicines with statistically indifferent sizes —in the range of 191.0 ± 0.8 nm (BSA) to 243.3 ± 11.6 nm (zein) were prepared (p > 0.05). The zeta potential values ranged from −3.2 ± 1.1 mV (pluronic F-127) to −17.2 ± 1.8 mV (whey) in phosphate buffered saline. The type of nanocarrier significantly influenced the long-term steady-state plateau of the release, resulting in a cumulative release of 70.3 ± 2.0 % of PTX from casein (the highest) and 46.8 ± 4.7 % of PTX from zein (the lowest). Time-resolved release data were analysed with various kinetical models, encompassing zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, Peppas-Sahlin, and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics. The analysis revealed that the Korsmeyer-Peppas model best captured the data. For these nanomedicines, the half-life of the encapsulated drugs was found to be 106.4 ± 31.3 h (zein), 4.7 ± 1.2 h (whey), 10.7 ± 1.8 h (pluronic F-127), 6.4 ± 0.9 h (casein), 10.8 ± 3.2 h (β-CD), and 4.0 ± 1.0 h (BSA). TEM characterization revealed differences in the macromolecular arrangement of the active ingredient within these nanocarriers, in addition to the structural differences among the various encapsulating agents. These differences manifested as variations in the internal nanostructures, leading to the creation of distinct microenvironments that could either facilitate or impede the movement of PTX molecules through the encapsulant matrices. In clinical settings, such fine details of nanocarrier design are important: by choosing the most appropriate nanocarrier (or their mixtures), clinicians can fine-tune drug administration to obtain the intended therapeutic window while mitigating the risk of potential negative reactions.

  PublisherDOI

• Visible Light Communication with Solar Cell Receiver for Indoor IoT Applications

  2024-05-15 · 1 citations

  article

  The rapid increase of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has ushered in a new era of connectivity, with an increasing reliance on efficient communication models. In this context, Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) presents a promising avenue for transmitting data at the speed of light, utilizing the optical spectrum to alleviate congestion in urban environments. Leveraging Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as transmitters and solar cells as receivers, this paper explores the feasibility of indoor OWC systems. Moreover, we present an experimental setup focusing on bandwidth measurement, data transmission, and energy harvesting. Our results indicate a maximum data rate of 19.2 Kbps using On-Off Keying (OOK) modulation at a 15 cm link distance. Notably, by avoiding the utilization of external circuitry for performance enhancement of the solar cell, we tried to maintain the system’s suitability for IoT applications. Our findings contribute to understanding solar cell-based data reception from LEDs, offering simulation results for practical implementation and performance considerations for indoor IoT communication systems.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Transport of Nanomedicine in the Environment

  NSF · $237k · 2012–2017

• I-Corps: Thermal Interface Materials with Ultrahigh Thermal Conductivity and Superior Conformability for Effective Cooling of Electronic Components

  NSF · $50k · 2015–2016

• Biomechanical Investigation of Insect Leg Joints

  NSF · $244k · 2014–2018

Frequent coauthors

• Younjin Min

  University of California, Riverside

  54 shared

• Jacob N. Israelachvili

  53 shared

• Luis Cisneros‐Zevallos

  Texas A&M University

  41 shared

• Robert K. Prud’homme

  Princeton University

  37 shared

• Jun Kyun Oh

  Dankook University

  36 shared

• Shuhao Liu

  Texas A&M University

  32 shared

• Yuval Golan

  Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

  26 shared

• Cengiz Yegin

  Artium Technologies (United States)

  25 shared

Labs

• Coatings and Interface Science LabPI

  Transformative Interface Science spanning Advanced Coatings to Complex Fluids and beyond.

Awards & honors

• Engineering Genesis Award, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment…
• Distinguished Teaching Award, Fluor Corporation (2014)
• Young Faculty Award, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agen…
• Select Young Faculty Award, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment…
• ACS PRF Young Investigator Award (2010)