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Toward controlling wetting hysteresis with nanostructured surfaces derived from block copolymer self-assembly
Aktaruzzaman Al Hossain1, Austin Dick1, Gregory Doerk2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States of America.
Nanotechnology
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Nanostructured surfaces created using block copolymer self-assembly offer tunable wetting properties. Controlling nanostructure dimensions minimizes wetting hysteresis and improves resistance to chemical aging for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly precisely controls nanostructured surfaces.
- Surface wettability and adhesion are critical for many applications.
- Chemical aging significantly alters surface properties over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how nanostructure geometry influences wetting hysteresis and adhesion.
- To explore the impact of chemical aging on wettability of nanostructured surfaces.
- To determine if nanostructure design can mitigate aging effects.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of nanostructured silicon surfaces using BCP self-assembly.
- Creation of hexagonal arrays of conical pillars with varying heights (60 and 200 nm).
- Characterization of wetting hysteresis via force-displacement measurements under aging conditions.
Main Results:
- Nanostructure dimensions (lateral and top surface area) dictate wetting hysteresis.
- Advancing and receding contact angles show reduced susceptibility to chemical aging.
- Tailoring nanostructure geometry offers control over liquid adhesion forces.
Conclusions:
- Nanostructured surfaces can be designed to control wetting hysteresis and adhesion.
- Geometry-dependent control mitigates the impact of chemical aging on surface wettability.
- These findings support the design of surfaces for self-cleaning, heat transfer, and drag reduction.
