Tuning the wettability of an aluminum surface via a chemically deposited fractal dendrite structure

Duyang Zang*, Feng Li, Xingguo Geng, Kejun Lin, Paul S. Clegg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We have developed a straightforward method to tune the wettability of an aluminum substrate within a contact angle (CA) range from 2 degrees to 170 degrees by chemical deposition in CuCl2 solution and fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) modification. The CA of the as-deposited surface decreases with deposition time due to the growth of fractal copper dendrites, which enhance the surface roughness significantly. After subsequent modification with FAS, a superhydrophobic surface with CA 170 degrees and sliding angle less than 5 degrees has been obtained. With the increase of CA, the maximum spreading of water droplets is reduced. A bouncing behavior is observed for droplets impinging on the superhydrophobic substrate, suggesting its potential application as a self-cleaning surface.

Original languageEnglish
Article number59
Number of pages8
JournalThe European Physical Journal E (EPJ E)
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • SUPER-HYDROPHOBIC SURFACE
  • SUPERHYDROPHOBIC SURFACE
  • COTTON TEXTILES
  • WATER
  • FABRICATION
  • ADHESION
  • FILMS

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