Multifunctional Engineering Aluminum Surfaces for Self‐Propelled Anti‐Condensation

Abstract

Learning from nature will give us some important inspiration in designing multifunctional materials and in developing new technology. Self‐propelled motion is ubiquitous in nature. Special wetting surfaces have considerable technological potential for various applications arising from their extreme repellent properties toward liquids. Here, we reported the spontaneous anti‐condensation on low adhesive superamphiphobic engineered Al surfaces. The mechanism of anti‐condensation was also investigated in this work. The dropwise condensation on engineering metals was removed autonomously without any external forces arising from the out‐of‐plane jumping motion of the coalesced drops. The self‐propelled jumping motion of merged drops is driven by the surface energy released upon drop coalescence. Besides the anti‐condensation, the resultant Al surfaces also showed robust repellency toward various polar, nonpolar liquids and even corrosive liquids, demonstrating stable superamphiphobicity, anti‐corrosion, and self‐cleaning properties. This will extend the practical applications of engineering metals in the fields of anti‐icing and heat exchange.