Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
10:09
Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers
Published on: June 30, 2018
8.7K
Biomimetic Submicroarrayed Cross-Linked Liquid Crystal Polymer Films with Different Wettability via Colloidal
Yuanyuan Zhan1, Jianqiang Zhao1, Wendong Liu2
1Department of Materials Science & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University , Shanghai 200433, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|October 29, 2015
Summary
Photoresponsive cross-linked liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) films with varied surface topographies mimic rose petals and lotus leaves, exhibiting tunable superhydrophobicity. These materials show potential for advanced applications in controlling water adhesion and surface properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Controlling surface wettability is crucial for various applications.
- Bio-inspired surfaces offer unique properties for water adhesion and repulsion.
- Liquid crystal polymers (CLCPs) are known for their responsiveness to external stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate photoresponsive CLCP films with controlled surface topographies.
- To investigate the wettability and water adhesion properties of these films.
- To explore the influence of light on the wettability of CLCP surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of submicropillar and submicrocone arrays using colloidal lithography.
- Characterization of surface topography using microscopy.
- Measurement of water contact angle (CA) and sliding angle (SA) to assess wettability.
- Investigation of photoresponsive behavior under visible light irradiation.
Main Results:
- CLCP films with submicropillar and submicrocone arrays were successfully fabricated with distinct nanoscale features.
- Both film types exhibited superhydrophobicity, with CA values of 144.0° and 156.4°.
- Submicropillar films mimicked rose petals (high SA > 90°), while submicrocone films mimicked lotus leaves (low SA = 3.1°).
- The wettability of the films was found to change under alternating blue and green light irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Surface topography plays a critical role in determining the water adhesion properties of CLCP films.
- Engineered CLCP surfaces can effectively mimic natural superhydrophobic surfaces like rose petals and lotus leaves.
- The photoresponsive nature of CLCPs allows for tunable wettability, opening possibilities for dynamic surface applications.
