Abstract
In this work, the authors present and demonstrate a simple method to fabricate and mass replicate re-entrant structures. The method consists of the direct imprinting of polymer mushroomlike microstructures produced by a combination of photolithography and nickel up-plating process. In particular, they have studied the conditions to generate highly robust mushroomlike topographies and their topographical impact on the replication process. They discuss all the imprinting conditions suitable to replicate such topographies using both ultraviolet light assisted nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) and thermal NIL methods in two polymer films, poly(methyl methacrylate) and polypropylene, and a hybrid (organic–inorganic) UV light curable photoresist, namely, Ormocomp. Re-entrant topographies have been widely studied for liquid/oil repelling and dry adhesive properties, whereas in their experiments, they have proved evidence for their amphiphobic potential.
Highlights
Most of the common contaminants and pollutants are based on organic materials, which adhere on the surfaces and do not repel
The method consists of the direct imprinting of polymer
mushroomlike microstructures produced by a combination of photolithography and nickel up-plating process
Summary
Most of the common contaminants and pollutants are based on organic materials, which adhere on the surfaces and do not repel . Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is an alternative toward the conventional fabrication methods due to its high resolution, low cost of ownership, and high-throughput capability to process hybrid materials and substrates. The topographical features present on a mold or stamp can be replicated into a thin layer of bulk resist materials via different mechanisms, such as thermal nanoimprint and/or ultraviolet light assisted nanoimprint (UV-NIL) or reverse nanoimprint lithography.. Our produced re-entrant topographies were appropriate to generate a superhydrophobic state of water due to the fact that the overhang structures promoted air trapping creating a composite interface. After the treatment of the produced overhanging structures with a low surface energy coating, enhanced repellence was observed over a wide range of low surface tension liquids, as well as small sliding angles, indicating the Cassie–Baxter state.
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