Abstract
The nanotexturing of microstructured polystyrene surfaces through CF4 plasma chemical fluorination is presented in this study. It is demonstrated that the parameters of a surface micropore-generation process, together with the setup of subsequent plasma-chemical modifications, allows for the creation of a long-term (weeks) surface-stable micro- and nanotexture with high hydrophobicity (water contact angle >150°). Surface micropores were generated initially via the time-sequenced dosing of mixed solvents onto a polystyrene surface (Petri dish) in a spin-coater. In the second step, tetrafluoromethane (CF4) plasma fluorination was used for the generation of a specific surface nanotexture and the modulation of the surface chemical composition. Experimental results of microscopic, goniometric, and spectroscopic measurements have shown that a single combination of phase separation methods and plasma processes enables the facile preparation of a wide spectrum of hierarchically structured surfaces differing in their wetting properties and application potentials.
Highlights
Structured surfaces with well-defined textures play very significant roles in sophisticated applications in sensors [1], photonics [2], tissue engineering [3], and superhydrophobic materials [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]
(303 K) led to the formation of nanopores at the micropore edges (Figure 2 and Figure 4). These secondary pores are not attributed to higher hydrophobicities, as demonstrated by the water contact angle values in Figure 4c (115◦ ± 2◦ ) and Figure 4e (107◦ ± 2◦ )
To further increase the hydrophobicity, homogenous surface nanotextures have to be created, similar to natural materials [28], and CFx functional groups have to be introduced onto the surface
Summary
Structured surfaces with well-defined textures play very significant roles in sophisticated applications in sensors [1], photonics [2], tissue engineering [3], and superhydrophobic materials [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. The temperature of the swollen polymer layer decreases with the solvent evaporation, and the water vapor condensates on it These water drops can ideally create hexagonal organized structures called “breath figures”. The “breath figures” method has many variations and technological modifications, and some of them can lead to the formation of Coatings 2019, 9, 201; doi:10.3390/coatings9030201 www.mdpi.com/journal/coatings
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