Fabrication of self-cleaning superhydrophobic surface on stainless steel by nanosecond laser

Abstract

Microstructures of stainless steel surfaces were textured by nanosecond laser. The surface morphology and hydrophobic properties of the stainless steel surfaces were measured by scanning electron microscope (SEM), OCA20 contact angle measuring instrument testing, respectively. It was found that the surfaces of the modified stainless steel achieved superhydrophobicity heated by a drying oven, the static contact angle reached 152 ± 1.3°. Microstructure and chemical elements of superhydrophobic surface modified by nanosecond laser were analyzed. Moreover, the contact angle about different temperature of droplets were studied on bare stainless steel surface and laser modified surface. The laser-modified superhydrophobic surfaces had been found to have good self-cleaning properties.