Renewable Superhydrophobic Surfaces Prepared by Nanoimprinting Using Anodic Porous Alumina Molds

Renewable superhydrophobic surfaces based on laminated polymer films with nanopillar array structures were prepared. Polymer nanopillar arrays exhibiting superhydrophobic properties were prepared by nanoimprinting using anodic porous alumina as a mold. The hydrophobic properties of the obtained polymer nanopillar arrays could be controlled and optimized by changing the geometrical structures of anodic porous alumina molds used for nanoimprinting. The polymer films were laminated using a photocurable monomer. The ordered polymer nanopillar array structures could be maintained even after delamination of the films. Renewed polymer nanopillar arrays exposed by peeling off the upper films exhibited a water contact angle higher than 150 degrees. Using this process, superhydrophobic surfaces could be obtained repeatedly by delamination of a film even when superhydrophobicity deteriorated with the collapse of surface patterns. The obtained renewable superhydrophobic surfaces can be used for various applications requiring high durability.

Automated summary

Renewable superhydrophobic surfaces based on polymer nanopillar arrays with high water contact angles were prepared using nanoimprinting. The hydrophobic properties of the polymer nanopillar arrays could be controlled and optimized by changing the geometrical structures of the molds. Even when the surface patterns collapsed, superhydrophobic surfaces could be repeatedly obtained by delaminating the films in this study.