Superhydrophobic nickel micromesh with microfences

Abstract

Ni micromeshes with array-type microfences formed along the circumference of the microholes were designed and fabricated, and their characteristics, including their surface wettability and waterproofness, were theoretically and experimentally evaluated. To evaluate the wettability effect of the microfences, micromeshes without microfences were also fabricated and characterized. The microfences in the micromesh contribute to two important features: superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning. While all of the contact angles measured from the micromesh with microfences were higher than 146°, those measured from the micromesh without microfences were lower than 115°. While natural soils sprinkled on the micromesh with microfences were removed along the trace of a rolling water drop, those on the micromesh without microfences were not removed. The maximum allowable hydraulic pressure was not seriously affected by the presence of the microfences, but rather is determined by the hole diameter. The proposed micromesh with microfences would be applicable for various products requiring water repellency and water blocking while allowing the passage of material waves including sound and light.