Tuning the surface wettability and adhesion of metallic glasses (MGs) is a promising approach to enrich their engineering applications. In this study, using nanosecond laser ablation in air, hierarchical micro/nanostructures were directly fabricated on a Zr-based MG surface. Following subsequent annealing, the surface exhibited superhydrophobicity (maximum contact angle: 166°, minimum sliding angle: 2°). Furthermore, the superhydrophobic surface could be tuned from low to high surface adhesion force by controlling the laser-ablated spot interval. By analyzing the laser-ablated structures and surface chemical compositions, the superhydrophobicity was related to the formation of hierarchical micro/nanostructures and the absorption of organic compounds with low surface free energy in air, and the change in surface adhesion force was attributed to the difference in surface roughness. The experimental results showed that the superhydrophobic surface with low adhesion force could be used in self-cleaning applications, while the superhydrophobic surfaces with different adhesion forces could be used in no-loss liquid transportation. This study provides an efficient and low-cost way to fabricate superhydrophobic MG surfaces with tunable adhesion, which will broaden the functional applications of MGs.
Keywords: hierarchical micro/nanostructure; metallic glass; nanosecond laser; superhydrophobicity; tunable adhesion.