Fabrication and surface characterization of biomimic superhydrophobic copper surface by solution-immersion and self-assembly

Biomimic superhydrophobic surfaces with contact angle greater than 150° and low sliding angle on copper substrate were fabricated by means of a facile solution immersion and surface self-assembly method. The scanning electron microscopy showed a nanoneedle structure copper surface with sporadic flower-like aggregates after treatment with sodium hydroxide and potassium persulfate solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction results confirmed that the formed nanoneedles were crystallized Cu(OH)2. And the hydrophilic Cu(OH)2 surface can be further modified into superhydrophobic through surface self-assembly with dodecanoic acid.

► Copper plate. ► Sodium hydroxide and potassium persulfate solution treatment. ► Crystallized Cu(OH)2 nanoneedles formed. ► Surface self-assembly with dodecanoic acid. ► Superhydrophobic with water contact angle 153̊.