Laser-Induced fluorinated graphene for superhydrophobic surfaces with anisotropic wetting and switchable adhesion

We present a facile direct-write approach for patterning fluorine-doped nanocarbons directly on molecularly engineered polymers for superhydrophobic and parahydrophobic surfaces. We first synthesized two different polymer films, non-fluorinated and fluorinated polyimides (PIs), by two-step procedure to create poly(amic acid) precursors, followed by thermal curing. Morphology and chemical composition were controlled by adjusting the programmed scan line pitch from 101.6 to 508 mu m during lasing to achieve superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (CA) up to 156 degrees in the direction perpendicular to carbonized lines. Droplets exhibited strong adhesion on our porous graphene micropatterns even when held at vertical and inverted orientations, indicating a Cassie impregnating state of wetting. Parahydrophobic F-LINC with line pitch of 355.6 mu m exhibits high dynamic CAs along both perpendicular (theta(A perpendicular to) = 165 degrees, theta(R perpendicular to) = 127 degrees) and parallel directions (theta(A parallel to) = 147 degrees, theta(R parallel to) = 87 degrees) as well as highly anisotropic CA hysteresis (Delta theta(perpendicular to) = 38 degrees, Delta theta(parallel to) = 60 degrees). Moreover, we demonstrate strain-induced switchable adhesion by leveraging substrate curvature control. Further, we show that our micropatterned polymer films can be used for transferring droplets without any loss or contamination. Hence, our approach offers new insights into designing interfaces for droplet manipulation, pick-and-place applications, and localized control of reactions.

Automated summary

This paper presents a direct-write method for patterning fluorine-doped nanocarbons on molecularly engineered polymers, resulting in superhydrophobic and parahydrophobic surfaces. The method allows control over morphology and chemical composition, leading to surfaces with high water contact angles. The study also demonstrates strain-induced switchable adhesion and the ability to transfer droplets without any loss or contamination. The approach provides new insights for designing interfaces for droplet manipulation and localized control of reactions.