Artificial Hairy Surfaces with a Nearly Perfect Hydrophobic Response

Abstract

A nearly perfect hydrophobic interface by dint of mimicking hairs of arthropods was achieved for the first time. These Γ-shape artificial hairs were made via a membrane casting technique on polypropylene substrates. This extreme hydrophobicity merely arises from microstructure modification, and no further chemical treatments are needed. The ultralow adhesion to water droplets was evaluated through video assessment, and it is believed to be attributed to the mechanical response of the artificial hairs. The principle of this fabrication technique is accessible and is expected to be compatible with large-area fabrication of superhydrophobic interfaces.

Interfacial propulsion by directional adhesion

“…The process is also suitable for implementation in a roll-to-roll process for producing large sheets in a manufacturing setting. A peeling-based technique for fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces was also recently proposed [39]; however our technique allows for control of pillar tilt, thus enabling large scale fabrication of unidirectional superhydrophobic surfaces.…”

Superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic nanostructured surfaces via plasma treatment

“…This is an important advantage of plasma-based processes that can be exploited for obtaining hierarchical organisation of the nanostructures in a single-step structuring process. Hierarchical designs have been shown to be particularly important in the fabrication of superhydrophobic [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], anti-adhesive [29][30][31][32][33], or reversible adhesive surfaces [34], as observed in natural systems. In this work we study the possibility of generating rough surfaces with different designs and wetting properties on PET films upon oxidative plasma treatment.…”

Ultrahigh‐Aspect Ratio Microfiber‐Furs as Plant‐Surface Mimics Derived from Teeth

“…uses a pre-perforated membrane in an innovative casting technique performed with isotactic poly(propylene) substrates. [ 3 ] Yet, the aspect ratio of the fi laments is far below 100:1. In the group of Ruehe et.…”