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Published on: August 15, 2018
Quantitative testing of robustness on superomniphobic surfaces by drop impact
Thi Phuong Nhung Nguyen1, Philippe Brunet, Yannick Coffinier
1Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire USR CNRS 3078, Université Lille Nord de France-Parc de la Haute Borne 50 Avenue de Halley, BP 70478, 59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq, Cedex, France.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|October 30, 2010
Summary
New superomniphobic surfaces repel diverse liquids, maintaining low friction. Nanowire surface design enhances liquid-repellent robustness against impalement, crucial for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Liquid-repellent surfaces are crucial for low-friction applications.
- Surface quality is defined by contact angle and liquid impalement pressure threshold.
- Existing surfaces struggle with repelling diverse liquids, especially those with low surface tension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and characterize novel superomniphobic surfaces.
- To evaluate the liquid-repellent capabilities against a wide range of liquids.
- To assess the robustness of these surfaces against liquid impalement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth technique to create nanowire-covered surfaces.
- Measured apparent contact angles for various nonpolar and polar liquids.
- Conducted drop impact experiments to test surface robustness against liquid impalement.
Main Results:
- Developed superomniphobic surfaces exhibiting apparent contact angles from 125° to 160°.
- Successfully repelled most nonpolar liquids and many polar liquids.
- Demonstrated that surface robustness against impalement correlates with Young's contact angle and liquid surface tension.
- Identified oriented nanowire growth as beneficial for enhanced robustness.
Conclusions:
- VLS-grown nanowire surfaces offer superior liquid repellency for diverse liquids.
- Surface design, particularly nanowire orientation, significantly impacts robustness against liquid impalement.
- These superomniphobic surfaces show promise for applications requiring sustained low-friction conditions.
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