Laser microstructuring for fabricating superhydrophobic polymeric surfaces

In this paper we show the fabrication of hydrophobic polymeric surfaces through laser microstructuring. By using 70-ps pulses from a Q-switched and mode-locked Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm, we were able to produce grooves with different width and separation, resulting in square-shaped pillar patterns. We investigate the dependence of the morphology on the surface static contact angle for water, showing that it is in agreement with the Cassie-Baxter model. We demonstrate the fabrication of a superhydrophobic polymeric surface, presenting a water contact angle of 157°. The surface structuring method presented here seems to be an interesting option to control the wetting properties of polymeric surfaces.

Research highlights▶ Ultrashort laser pulses were used to microstructure a polymeric surface. ▶ Superhydrophobic surfaces were achieved with square-shaped pillars morphology. ▶The surface structuring method allows controlling the surface wetting properties.