Design considerations to fabricate multifunctional superomniphobic surfaces: A review

A surface possessing repellency to low surface tension liquids e.g., oils and alcohols (superoleophobic) and high surface tension liquids e.g., water (superhydrophobic) is referred to as superomniphobic. Such surfaces are receiving great attention as they can be used in a myriad of industrial and biomedical applications. In this timely review, we discuss the challenges in systematic design and fabrication of superomniphobic surfaces. Particular attention was paid to elucidating the significance of surface energy, roughness and the critical role of re-entrant texture in obtaining the Cassie-Baxter state. We also discussed how hierarchical scales of texture can yield high contact angles and decrease the hysteresis in the contact angle of superomniphobic surfaces by reducing the solid-liquid contact area. On this premise, we discussed design parameters that would allow efficient fabrication of superomniphobic surfaces leading to newer applications and horizons in the field. The review concludes by identifying newer challenges and potential for these surfaces.

Automated summary

Superomniphobic surfaces, which exhibit repellency to both low and high surface tension liquids, have attracted great interest in various industrial and biomedical applications. This review focuses on the challenges in designing and fabricating superomniphobic surfaces, with emphasis on the significance of surface energy, roughness, and re-entrant texture in achieving the desired properties. The review also discusses the use of hierarchical texture to enhance the contact angles and reduce hysteresis in superomniphobic surfaces, and explores the design parameters for efficient fabrication and potential applications.