Thermo-responsive wettability via surface roughness change on polymer-coated titanate nanorod brushes toward fast and multi-directional droplet transport.

ABSTRACT: A novel approach for thermo-responsive wettability has been accomplished by surface roughness change induced by thermal expansion of paraffin coated on titanate nanostructures. The surface exhibits thermo-responsive and reversible wettability change in a hydrophobic regime; the surface shows superhydrophobicity with contact angles of ∼157° below 50 °C and ∼118° above 50 °C due to a decrease of surface roughness caused by thermally-expanded paraffin at higher temperatures. Reversible wettability change of ∼40° of a contact angle allows for fast and multi-directional droplet transport. The present approach affords a versatile selection of materials and wide variety of contact angles, promoting both scientific advancement and technology innovation in the field of smart surfaces.

SUBMITTER: Okada K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9055642 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature