Stable biomimetic super-hydrophobic engineering materials

J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Nov 16;127(45):15670-1. doi: 10.1021/ja0547836.

Abstract

We describe a simple and inexpensive method to produce super-hydrophobic surfaces on aluminum and its alloy by oxidation and chemical modification. Water or aqueous solutions (pH = 1-14) have contact angles of 168 +/- 2 and 161 +/- 2 degrees on the treated surfaces of Al and Al alloy, respectively. The super-hydrophobic surfaces are produced by the cooperation of binary structures at micro- and nanometer scales, thus reducing the energies of the surfaces. Such super-hydrophobic properties will greatly extend the applications of aluminum and its alloy as lubricating materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Chemical Engineering / methods
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Aluminum