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Published on: September 11, 2018
Controlled Synthesis of TiO2 Nanotube Array-Based Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces with Durable Liquid-Holding
1MOE Key Laboratory of Cluster Science, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Optimized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures enhance slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). These structures improve liquid retention and provide over 24 hours of anti-icing performance, crucial for long-term material durability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) offer unique properties but their long-term performance is not well understood.
- Understanding the role of nanostructure design is critical for advancing SLIPS technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how nanostructure dimensions (diameter, length) affect the long-term properties of SLIPS.
- To establish a model system using TiO2 nanotube arrays to study these structure-property relationships.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TiO2 nanotube arrays with controlled diameters (40-110 nm) and lengths (3-12 μm) on Ti substrates using anodic oxidation.
- Infusion of lubricant into the TiO2 nanotube arrays to create SLIPS.
- Evaluation of liquid-holding ability via centrifugation and water shearing.
- Assessment of anti-icing performance at -22 °C.
Main Results:
- TiO2 SLIPS exhibited excellent liquid retention, with contact angle hysteresis below 4° after centrifugation and 8° after water shearing.
- The liquid-holding ability is attributed to the synergistic effect of small nanotube diameter (capillary force) and large porous volume (lubricant storage).
- Anti-icing performance was superior, delaying icing for over 24 hours at -22 °C due to the maintained lubricant film.
Conclusions:
- Nanostructure parameters, specifically nanotube diameter and length, significantly impact SLIPS' slippery, liquid-holding, and long-term anti-icing properties.
- Optimized TiO2 nanostructures provide a robust platform for developing durable and high-performance SLIPS.
- The findings offer insights into designing advanced materials for applications requiring sustained surface functionality.
