Modification of polyimide wetting properties by laser ablated conical microstructures

► Cone-shaped microstructures were generated on polyimide by low-fluence laser ablation. ► Contact angle of water on polyimide was altered, depending on nature of the cone density. ► Maximum contact angle of 118° was achieved for densely packed cones, while a decrease in contact angle to as low as 47° was achieved for low density of cones. ► Wenzel mode wetting behavior was observed due to a combination of surface texturing and alteration in oxygen content of ablated surface.