Programmable wettability on photocontrolled graphene film

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Surface wettability is crucial for diverse scientific and industrial applications.
• Controlling surface properties dynamically remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel material with programmable wettability using paraffin-infused porous graphene film (PIPGF).
• To demonstrate remote, spatiotemporal control over droplet manipulation via near-infrared (NIR) light.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a paraffin-infused porous graphene film (PIPGF).
• Utilizing graphene's photothermal properties to induce reversible phase transitions in paraffin using NIR light.
• Employing NIR masks to create patterned melting for programmable surface wettability.

Main Results:

• Achieved dynamic and reversible transitions between slippery and rough surface states.
• Demonstrated programmable wettability pathways for precise droplet manipulation.
• Successfully applied the PIPGF for simplified liquid handling in microplates and droplet microarrays.

Conclusions:

• The photocontrollable PIPGF offers a versatile platform for advanced microfluidic systems.
• Programmable wettability facilitates applications in laboratory-on-a-chip devices and microreactors.
• The technology shows promise for practical diagnostics like blood grouping.