Work

Periodic nanogrooves from an unlikely source: nanosecond laser processing on a budget

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Surface nanostructuring holds significant potential for enhancing material properties in various industrial applications, including wettability modification and anti-counterfeiting measures. However, the high costs associated with ultrashort pulse laser systems have limited widespread adoption. In this study, a cost-effective method for fabricating periodic nanogrooves on stainless steel surfaces using a nanosecond fiber laser system priced under 10,000 EUR is presented. Nanogrooves with approximately 1 μm periodicity and depths of 50 to 220 nm were produced under optimized processing conditions, yielding high-quality, uniform structures without defects. The laser-induced nanostructuring significantly enhanced the hydrophobicity of the surfaces, increasing the static contact angle from 74.7° to up to 102.2°, an improvement of about 37%. Additionally, the nanogrooves functioned as diffraction elements for decorative and anti-counterfeiting purposes via image multiplexing. This method demonstrates that functional surface enhancements can be achieved affordably, lowering barriers to industrial adoption and offering a viable alternative for surface nanostructuring across various sectors.

Source: Materials Research Express

DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ae0d51

Authors: Z Fialkova, P Hauschwitz, M Flimelova, H Jelinkova, J Brajer, T Mocek

Institutions: Czech Academy of Sciences, FZU - Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Technical University in Prague

Language: English

Topic: Laser Material Processing Techniques

Subfield: Computational Mechanics

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000

Funders: European Commission, European Regional Development Fund