Work

3D Gold Nanowire Networks with Tailorable Surface Wetting State: From Rose‐Petal Effect to Super‐Hydrophilicity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study demonstrates the different wetting states that can be achieved by varying the diameter and density of nanowires in free-standing 3D gold nanowire networks. This network structure consists of nanowires oriented at 45° to the horizontal plane and interconnected from four different directions. Sessile drop measurements on these tailored nanostructured films show a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic behavior as porosity increases from 20% to 98%. With tailored porosity from 60% to 80%, this nanostructure can exhibit super-hydrophilicity. In addition, the highly porous (>90%) hydrophobic structures exhibit the rose-petal effect, where water droplets remain pinned to the surface. These novel results demonstrate the capability to precisely control surface wetting behavior through intricate designs of nanostructures, which are crucial for a wide range of applications, including liquid transport, microfluidic devices, and sensors.

Source: Small

DOI: 10.1002/smll.202411971

Authors: Mohan Li, Henning Bonart, Daniel Zellner, Maria Eugenia Toimil‐Molares

Institutions: GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Technische Universität Darmstadt

Language: English

Topic: Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,790

Funders: Helmholtz Graduate School for Hadron and Ion Research, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung