Tuning the surface wettability and adhesion of metallic
glasses
(MGs) is a promising approach to enrich their engineering applications.
In this study, using nanosecond laser ablation in air, hierarchical
micro/nanostructures were directly fabricated on a Zr-based MG surface.
Following subsequent annealing, the surface exhibited superhydrophobicity
(maximum contact angle: 166°, minimum sliding angle: 2°).
Furthermore, the superhydrophobic surface could be tuned from low
to high surface adhesion force by controlling the laser-ablated spot
interval. By analyzing the laser-ablated structures and surface chemical
compositions, the superhydrophobicity was related to the formation
of hierarchical micro/nanostructures and the absorption of organic
compounds with low surface free energy in air, and the change in surface
adhesion force was attributed to the difference in surface roughness.
The experimental results showed that the superhydrophobic surface
with low adhesion force could be used in self-cleaning applications,
while the superhydrophobic surfaces with different adhesion forces
could be used in no-loss liquid transportation. This study provides
an efficient and low-cost way to fabricate superhydrophobic MG surfaces
with tunable adhesion, which will broaden the functional applications
of MGs.