Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces on a glass substrate via hot embossing

Abstract

This study developed a new hot pressing process to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces with controllable shape and size on a glass substrate. Microstructures were fabricated on tungsten carbide mold via picosecond laser processing. Microgroove structures were reproduced on glass during the hot embossing process and SiO2 nanoparticles laid on the mold were also embedded into the glass surface under the action of heat and pressure to provide nanostructures. The contact angle of the superhydrophobic glass surface reached up to 161.8°, and the sliding angle was only 3°. The structures and chemical composition of superhydrophobic glass surface were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The 3D laser scanning microscopy result showed the height (20 μm) of the microgroove structures, while white light interferometry revealed the surface roughness (Ra 2.725 μm). The superhydrophobic glass surface demonstrated satisfactory temperature resistance and chemical stability through temperature and acid and alkali solution immersion tests. The surface exhibited certain mechanical stability by friction and wear test. This work provides a new hot embossing method for solving the problem of structural consistency and mass production of superhydrophobic glass, and will have great application prospects in the engineering field.