Large-area cactus-like micro-/nanostructures with anti-reflection and superhydrophobicity fabricated by femtosecond laser and thermal treatment

In the face of an energy shortage, exploring surfaces with excellent photothermal conversion ability to effectively utilize solar energy may alleviate it. In this paper, combining the femtosecond laser fabrication and thermal treatment, a cactus-like hierarchical structure is presented. Its morphology, composition, and geometrical size distribution are characterized. The properties of anti-reflection, photothermal conversion, and super-hydrophobicity are experimentally confirmed. Furthermore, based on numerical simulation, the light absorption mechanism of the hierarchical structure is elucidated. In addition, the origin of wettability is also explained. This fast fabrication method presented here would promote the large-scale industrial application of laser-processed photothermal conversion surfaces.

Automated summary

In this study, a cactus-like hierarchical structure combining femtosecond laser fabrication and thermal treatment is proposed. The anti-reflection, photothermal conversion, and super-hydrophobicity properties of the structure are experimentally confirmed. The light absorption mechanism of the hierarchical structure is elucidated through numerical simulation, and the origin of wettability is also explained. This fast fabrication method is expected to promote the large-scale industrial application of laser-processed photothermal conversion surfaces.