Bioinspired wetting surface via laser microfabrication

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2013 Aug 14;5(15):6777-92. doi: 10.1021/am401677z. Epub 2013 Aug 1.

Abstract

Bioinspired special wettibilities including superhydrophobicity and tunable adhesive force have drawn considerable attention because of their significant potential for fundamental research and practical applications. This review summarizes recent progress in the development of bioinspired wetting surfaces via laser microfabrication, with a focus on controllable, biomimetic, and switchable wetting surfaces, as well as their applications in biology, microfluidic, and paper-based devices, all of which demonstrate the ability of laser microfabrication in producing various multiscale structures and its adaptation in a great variety of materials. In particular, compared to other techniques, laser microfabrication can realize special modulation ranging from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic without the assistance of fluorination, allowing much more freedom to achieve complex multiple-wettability integration. The current challenges and future research prospects of this rapidly developing field are also being discussed. These approaches open the intriguing possibility of the development of advanced interfaces equipped with the integration of more functionalities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anisotropy
  • Biomimetics / methods*
  • Ferns / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Lasers*
  • Materials Testing
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods
  • Microtechnology
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • PC12 Cells
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Wettability

Substances

  • Polymers