Superhydrophobic surfaces with micro-/nano-structures prepared by femtosecond laser

Abstract

Synthetic superhydrophobic surfaces have attracted considerable attention because they reduce effects such as friction, erosion, and contamination of devices. In this paper, a simple method for fabricating superhydrophobic metallic surfaces with femtosecond laser pulses is presented. The laser irradiation creates a surface morphology that exhibits structures on the micro- and nanoscales. By varying the laser fluence, focus position and scanning mode, we can tune the feature sizes and morphologies of microstructures and nanostructures. The wetting properties of surface change with the micro/nano structure are characterized. The contact angles for water on polished surface and surface with micro- and nano-structures are measured and compared. It is found that the contact angles for water on the micro- and nano-structured surfaces is higher about 40° than that on the polished surface. The results indicate that laser ablation is effective surface texturing method and the composite structures with micro- and nanoscales improve the hydrophobic property of metals effectively.Synthetic superhydrophobic surfaces have attracted considerable attention because they reduce effects such as friction, erosion, and contamination of devices. In this paper, a simple method for fabricating superhydrophobic metallic surfaces with femtosecond laser pulses is presented. The laser irradiation creates a surface morphology that exhibits structures on the micro- and nanoscales. By varying the laser fluence, focus position and scanning mode, we can tune the feature sizes and morphologies of microstructures and nanostructures. The wetting properties of surface change with the micro/nano structure are characterized. The contact angles for water on polished surface and surface with micro- and nano-structures are measured and compared. It is found that the contact angles for water on the micro- and nano-structured surfaces is higher about 40° than that on the polished surface. The results indicate that laser ablation is effective surface texturing method and the composite structures with micro- and n...