The Geometry-Induced Superhydrophobic Property of Carpet-like Zinc Films
LIANG Li-Xing, DENG Yuan**, WANG Yao
Beijing Key Laboratory for Advanced Functional Materials and Thin Film Technology, School of Material Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191
Abstract：Carpet-like zinc films with unique nanowires are fabricated by using a simple physical evaporation method. The definite morphologies of the films endow the superhydrophobic material with a contact angle of about 157.9°, and by additional modification of CF3(CF2)7CH2CH2Si(OCH3)3 the water adhesive force could be tuned from 58.3 μN to 14.6 μN. In order to analyze the controllable adhesion of superhydrophobic Zn films, we study the microstructure and chemical compositions of the films by x-ray diffraction SEM, TEM, HRTEM and EDAX. Furthermore, a model based on the balance of micro-surface energy is proposed to illustrate the relationship of the geometry and wettability properties of the films. The model provides new insights into how to design-oriented microchannels and micro-protuberance on material surfaces, which is of benefit for controlling their ability of caught-collection in air bubbles and water-pinning collection.
2013, Vol. 30 
