Infused configurations induced by structures influence stability and antifouling performance of biomimetic lubricant-infused surfaces

Biomimetic lubricant-infused surfaces are developed as an effective approach to solve the problem of biofouling. Herein, lubricant-infused surfaces were fabricated on various structured surfaces with polished, nanostructured, microstructured, and micro/nanostructured features. The influences of surface topographies on their infused configurations, stability and antifouling performance were studied in detail. The results indicated that the structures played a decisive role in the formation of lubricant-infused surfaces. Infused configurations of lubricant were various responded to the different structures, including floated on polished surfaces, encapsulated on nanostructured surfaces, impregnated with emergent features on microstructured surfaces and impregnated/encapsulated on micro/nanostructured surfaces. Stability and antifouling performance were decided by the infused configurations. The encapsulated lubricant entrapped by a capillary force in nanostructures can form a continuous liquid interface to retain stability and provide antifouling performance. The results would show great potential for the construction of antifouling coatings by lubricant-infused techniques.