Morphology-Driven Antiadhesion, Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Effects in Superhydrophobic Surfaces.

ABSTRACT: Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs), inspired by water-repellent biostructures, hold promise across biomedical, industrial, and environmental domains. Here, we systematically compare PTFE-based SHSs with microstructured (MS), nanostructured (NS), and micro-nano hierarchical (MN) morphologies for liquid repellency, antifouling, antibacterial performance, and cytocompatibility. MN surfaces provided the strongest antiadhesion, maintaining low sliding angles for challenging high-viscosity/high-solids liquids (glycerol, egg white, and yogurt) by minimizing solid-liquid contact and elevating energy barriers to pinning. Antibacterial testing (ISO 22196-equivalent) showed morphology-dependent efficacy: MS and MN reduced Staphylococcus aureus by >80% and Escherichia coli by ≈40%, whereas

SUBMITTER: Hou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12593026 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature