Work

Superhydrophobic and self-cleaning aluminium surfaces via affordable nanosecond fibre laser and vacuum treatment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Self-cleaning surfaces have a great potential for applications in the construction, aviation, food and energy industries. A common strategy for achieving self-cleaning functionality is to render the surface superhydrophobic, enabling water droplets to roll off and remove dirt particles. In this article the aluminium sample was treated using an affordable nanosecond laser combined with vacuum processing to induce superhydrophobicity. Various processing parameters were investigated, including structural geometry, hatch distance, and additional defocused irradiation. Following fabrication, the surfaces were evaluated for self-cleaning performance by applying MnO 2 and polyamide particles of defined sizes and tilting the samples by 15 ∘ . A specified number of 20 μ l water droplets was allowed to roll over the contaminated surfaces and the cleaning efficacy was quantitatively analysed through optical imaging and image processing. The most effective configuration, rhombic structures with 80 μ m hatch distance, removed over 95% MnO 2 particles after only three droplets. The confocal and electron microscopy characterisation of the surface was used to understand the relation between surface topography and the cleaning effect.

Source: Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6439/ae12fe

Authors: K Kobliha, P Hauschwitz, R Bicistova, M Prochazka, J Brajer, T Mocek

Institutions: Czech Academy of Sciences, FZU - Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

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: $3,325

Funder: European Commission