Superoleophobic substrates and methods of forming same

Abstract

Superoleophobic substrates (110) and methods of forming same are disclosed. The methods include providing a laser-ablatable substrate (10) comprising glass and directing a laser beam (122) to the substrate surface (12) and laser-ablating at least a portion thereof to form an array of spaced-apart micropillars (232) having sidewalls (233). The laser beam is provided with sufficient energy to form on the sidewalls an irregular rough surface with re-entrant microscale and nanoscale features that render the substrate surface superoleophobic when coated with a low-surface-energy coating (246).

Description

[0001] Cross reference to related applications [0002] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 12 / 784955 filed on May 21, 2010 in accordance with 35U.S.C.§119(e). Technical field [0003] The present invention generally relates to non-wetting substrates, and in particular to super-oleophobic substrates and methods of forming the same. Background technique [0004] At present, great attention has been paid to the development of non-wetting substrates using surface chemistry and surface texture. Surfaces that repel water and / or organic fluids (such as oil) can be used in many applications involving, for example, microfluidics, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), micro-separation, handheld devices, medical devices, touch screens, etc. [0005] The non-wetting properties of the substrate are generally classified according to the static contact angle of the small droplets placed on the substrate. If the liquid is water, when the contact angle o...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, identifying and forming the specialized substrate surface features that make the substrate superoleophobic is time consuming and expensive

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