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A low-cost method to produce superhydrophobic polymer surfaces

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Abstract

Here, we introduce a novel and inexpensive template-based structuring process to create superhydrophobic polymer surfaces adapted from the naturally occurring micro/nano structured surfaces found on the superhydrophobic leaves of the quaking aspen tree. Electroformed nanocrystalline nickel coupons were sandblasted and chemically etched to create a negative reproduction of the aspen leaf surface structure. These nanocrystalline nickel samples were then employed as re-useable templates and pressed against various polymers at elevated temperatures, transferring the desired superhydrophobic structure to their surfaces. This structuring process resulted in water contact angles above 150° and tilt angles below 5° for polyethylene, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene samples. In addition, the effects of temperature, water drop size and surfactant concentration on these pressed polymer surfaces were investigated to assess potential application limitations for these surfaces.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank Sal Boccia and Milos Kucera for help with the SEM and the optical profilometer. This research was sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Ontario Research Fund—Research Excellence, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology, the University of Toronto Open Fellowship and Integran Technologies Inc., Toronto, Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 184 College St. Room 140E, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E4, Canada

    J. J. Victor & U. Erb

  2. Integran Technologies Inc., 1 Meridian Rd., Toronto, ON, M9W 4Z6, Canada

    D. Facchini

Authors
  1. J. J. Victor
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  2. D. Facchini
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  3. U. Erb
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Correspondence to U. Erb.

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Victor, J.J., Facchini, D. & Erb, U. A low-cost method to produce superhydrophobic polymer surfaces. J Mater Sci 47, 3690–3697 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-6217-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-6217-x

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