Rapid Formation of Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Fast Response Wettability Transition

We have developed a facile and time-saving method to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces on copper sheets. Various surface textures composed of Cu(OH)(2) nanorod arrays and CuO microflowers/Cu(OH)(2) nanorod arrays hierarchical structure were prepared by a simple solution-immersion process. After chemical modification with stearic acid, the wettability of the as prepared surfaces was changed from superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity. The shortest processing time for fabrication a superhydrophobic surface was 1.5 min. Interestingly the rapid wettability transition between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity can be realized on the prepared surfaces with ease by the alternation of air-plasma treatment and stearic acid coating. It took just 2 min to complete the whole wettability transition. Additionally, the regenaration of the superhydrophobic surface is also considered regarding its application.