Work

Hierarchical Super-Hydrophilic Aluminum Oxide Architectures on Textured Silicon for Aqueous- and Vapor-Phase Interaction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hierarchical super-hydrophilic surfaces were realized by forming porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and boehmite [AlO(OH)] on micro-textured Si wafers. One-step anodization of e-beam-deposited Al followed by controlled pore-widening, thermal annealing, or hot-water treatment produced oxide architectures exhibiting near-zero water contact angles (aqueous regime) and pronounced H2O adsorption–desorption responses (vapor regime). Thermogravimetric analysis, moisture isotherms, and FT-IR indicate that increased porosity and anion incorporation (O−/O2−/oxalate) enrich surface hydroxyl functionality, enhancing affinity to H2O. The results delineate two complementary regimes—rapid capillary wetting and multilayer vapor adsorption—supporting the use of these oxide/Si hierarchies as interactive water-affine interfaces with potential relevance to moisture gettering and chemosensing.

Source: Chemosensors

DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors13110397

Authors: Hyo-Ryoung Lim, Tae Woong Yun, Nu Si A Eom, Doyoun Kim, Chae Yeon Hong, Yong-Ho Choa

Institutions: Pukyong National University, Hanyang University, Korea Electronics Technology Institute

Language: English

Topic: Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,413

Funders: Pukyong National University, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, National NanoFab Center