Journal of Bionic Engineering ›› 2020, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (4): 644-651.doi: 10.1007/s42235-020-0052-1

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Facial Fabrication of Biomimetic Water Pinning Microstructures on Polyethylene Surfaces with Robust Superhydrophobic Wetting State

Yuzhu Li1,2, Hang Gao1,2*, Yunhai Ma3, Donghui Chen3   

  1. 1. School of Mechatronics Engineering, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang 110136, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense of Aeronautical Digital Manufacturing Process, 
    Shenyang 110136, China
    3. Key Laboratory for Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
  • 收稿日期:2020-11-20 修回日期:2020-04-27 接受日期:2020-04-30 出版日期:2020-07-10 发布日期:2020-09-04
  • 通讯作者: Hang Gao E-mail:saugaohang@163.com
  • 作者简介:Yuzhu Li1,2, Hang Gao1,2*, Yunhai Ma3, Donghui Chen3

Facial Fabrication of Biomimetic Water Pinning Microstructures on Polyethylene Surfaces with Robust Superhydrophobic Wetting State

Yuzhu Li1,2, Hang Gao1,2*, Yunhai Ma3, Donghui Chen3   

  1. 1. School of Mechatronics Engineering, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang 110136, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense of Aeronautical Digital Manufacturing Process, 
    Shenyang 110136, China
    3. Key Laboratory for Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
  • Received:2020-11-20 Revised:2020-04-27 Accepted:2020-04-30 Online:2020-07-10 Published:2020-09-04
  • Contact: Hang Gao E-mail:saugaohang@163.com
  • About author:Yuzhu Li1,2, Hang Gao1,2*, Yunhai Ma3, Donghui Chen3

摘要: Applying hot-embossing technology, a simple and cost-effective method for the fabrication of microstructured High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) surfaces with a robust superhydrophobic wetting state is proposed. Micro-meshes and micro-grooves in the flexible template are filled by the PE melt in the hot embossing process. Subsequently, a two-stage microstructure on the PE film surface is formed. This PE film exhibits a contact angle of 151.8? ± 2? and roll-off angle of > 90? when a 5 μL water droplet is dropped on its surface. Water pinning ability on the surface is figured out and roll-off angles are as a quadratic function of specified water droplet volume. Specifically, a 356 μN water pinng force appears on the HDPE film due to the solid–vapor composite interface on its surface. Meanwhile, self-cleaning and immersion tests reveal that the HDPE surface with micro-pillars exhibit robust Cassie impregnating wetting state against external pressure. The proposed method for facial fabrication of microstructured surfaces is an appropriate candidate for the development of droplet manipulation and functional biomimetic polymer surfaces.

关键词: water pinning, hot-embossing, Cassie impregnating, self-cleaning, microstructure

Abstract: Applying hot-embossing technology, a simple and cost-effective method for the fabrication of microstructured High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) surfaces with a robust superhydrophobic wetting state is proposed. Micro-meshes and micro-grooves in the flexible template are filled by the PE melt in the hot embossing process. Subsequently, a two-stage microstructure on the PE film surface is formed. This PE film exhibits a contact angle of 151.8? ± 2? and roll-off angle of > 90? when a 5 μL water droplet is dropped on its surface. Water pinning ability on the surface is figured out and roll-off angles are as a quadratic function of specified water droplet volume. Specifically, a 356 μN water pinng force appears on the HDPE film due to the solid–vapor composite interface on its surface. Meanwhile, self-cleaning and immersion tests reveal that the HDPE surface with micro-pillars exhibit robust Cassie impregnating wetting state against external pressure. The proposed method for facial fabrication of microstructured surfaces is an appropriate candidate for the development of droplet manipulation and functional biomimetic polymer surfaces.

Key words: water pinning, hot-embossing, Cassie impregnating, self-cleaning, microstructure