2024
Research News
Study Unveils Self-activation Durable Superhydrophobic Metal Surface Without Organic Coatings
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In a study published in Advanced Materials, a research group led by Prof. YANG Jianjun from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a method combining femtosecond laser elemental doping (FLEM) with cyclic low-temperature annealing to create a durable organic coating-free superhydrophobic metal surface.
For decades, researchers have been striving to develop surfaces with superhydrophobic properties, which are crucial for various applications such as drag reduction, anti-icing, and corrosion resistance. Traditional approaches often rely on a combination of surface micro/nanostructures and organic coatings to achieve these properties. However, these coatings are susceptible to ion permeation and chemical degradation, severely limiting the durability of the superhydrophobic effect.
It is necessary to explore alternative methods that do not rely on organic coatings. In this study, researchers focused on the paracrystalline state, a unique material phase that offers low free energy and high chemical resistance. By using the FLEM strategy, they were able to generate an amorphous predominated bionic anthill tribe microstructure on the metal surface, which was then transformed into a paracrystalline state through further annealing processes. This method enabled the creation of a metal surface that maintains extreme water repellency without the need for organic coatings.
Through meticulously controlling the laser parameters and processing conditions, the formation of the desired paracrystalline structure was ensured. Researchers conducted extensive experiments and characterized the samples to verify their findings, and showed that the paracrystalline metal surface can exhibit marvellous superhydrophobic properties and the long-term maintance even after prolonged immersion in corrosive solutions.
The paracrystalline metal surface not only demonstrated exceptional water repellency but also showed significantly improved chemical resistance compared to traditionally coated surfaces. The corrosion current density of the paracrystalline sample was reduced by a factor of 105 compared to the unprocessed metal, indicating a high level of protection against corrosion.
These findings suggest that the new method has the potential to revolutionize the development of superhydrophobic surfaces for various industrial applications. This study addresses the issue of chemical unsustainability in the superhydrophobic domain. It paves the way for the development of more environmentally friendly and sustainable superhydrophobic surfaces.
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