Fabrication of template with dual‐scale structures based on glass wet etching and its application in hydrophobic surface preparation

Abstract

Template-based methods are a commonly used way to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces, in which, one of the critical issues, is template fabrication. In this work, a template with a dual-scale hierarchical structures fabrication method is investigated, in which, using the Cr and photoresist as etching mask, the fused silica glass substrate is etched in a buffered hydrofluoric solution. Optical photos and atomic force microscopy (AFM) scans show that the excellent ordered and uniform microstructures with a feature size less than 4 μm combining with the nanostructures with a feature size of about 20-30 nm on the etched surface have been fabricated, indicating hierarchical structures being obtained. Then the template with dual-scale structures is used as a master template and experiments of pattern transferring to PDMS and photoresist by cast moulding and by imprint lithography, respectively, have been conducted. The duplicating fidelity is characterised through optical photos and AFM scans. The contact angles of water on various fabricated surfaces are characterised and the influence of the surface roughness on wettability has been discussed.

Ultrasonic assisted rapid preparation of superhydrophobic stainless steel surface and its application in oil/water separation

“…Inspired by the excellent hydrophobic properties of natural elements, such as lotus leaves [4] , desert beetles [5] , and the planthopper insect wing [6] etc, artificial SH surfaces have been widely explored in the past couple of decades. At present, there are various methods for preparation of SH surfaces, including chemical etching [7] , [8] , sol–gel [9] , spinning method [10] , [11] , self-assembly method [12] , electrochemical deposition [13] , [14] , template-based method [15] , [16] and so on [17] , [18] , [19] . All the above methods indicate that both abundant surface micro-nano structures and low surface energy are vital for the preparation of SH surface.…”

Long‐lasting oil wettability patterns fabrication on superoleophobic surfaces by atmospheric pressure DBD plasma jet

“…1. Introduction: Water wettability patterns have been widely designed and fabricated thanks to their promising application potential in many fields, such as lab-on-a-chip devices and bioengineering [1][2][3][4]. Surface modification induced by low-temperature plasma is rapid and less destructive, therefore having shown great application potential in controlling of surface wettability and preparing wettability patterns [5][6][7].…”