Underwater superoleophobicity, anti-oil and ultra-broadband enhanced absorption of metallic surfaces produced by a femtosecond laser inspired by fish and chameleons

Abstract

Reported here is the bio-inspired and robust function of underwater superoleophobic, anti-oil metallic surfaces with ultra-broadband enhanced optical absorption obtained through femtosecond laser micromachining. Three distinct surface structures are fabricated using a wide variety of processing parameters. Underwater superoleophobic and anti-oil surfaces containing coral-like microstructures with nanoparticles and mount-like microstructures are achieved. These properties of the as-prepared surfaces exhibit good chemical stability when exposed to various types of oils and when immersed in water with a wide range of pH values. Moreover, coral-like microstructures with nanoparticle surfaces show strongly enhanced optical absorption over a broadband wavelength range from 0.2–25 μm. The potential mechanism for the excellent performance of the coral-like microstructures with a nanoparticle surface is also discussed. This multifunctional surface has potential applications in military submarines, amphibious military aircraft and tanks, and underwater anti-oil optical counter-reconnaissance devices.

A Review of Femtosecond‐Laser‐Induced Underwater Superoleophobic Surfaces

“…To be on the safe side, they must avoid contamination and be not discovered in shallow seas or in air by radar. After femtosecond laser ablation, Yin et al formed coral‐like microstructures on the stainless steel surface, as shown in Figure a,b . There are a large number of cavities with the diameter of 3–10 µm randomly covering on the treated surface.…”

“…e,f) Schematic of the potential application of the femtosecond‐laser‐treated metal surface on a submarine: the effect of e) an untreated flat metal surface and f) a laser‐induced rough metal surface on the oil wettability and light reflectance in a water medium. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2016, Springer Nature.…”

High-Flux and Robust Co3O4 Mesh for Efficient Oil/Water Separation in Harsh Environment

“…Besides, a facile route for the fabrication of these materials can make them more promising in practical oil/water separation. 28−30…”

Under-Water Superoleophobicity of Heat Treated and Chemically Etched Hypoeutectic Aluminum- 8 wt.% Silicon Alloy

“…Under-water superoleophobicity has been generated on the metallic surfaces, through femtosecond laser micromachining [6]. The surfaces generated through this method contained coral-like microstructures with nanoparticles which showed sustained chemical stability when exposed to various oils and also while immersed in water with different pH values.…”