Effect of pattern topology on the self-cleaning properties of textured surfaces.
The water contact angle and self-cleaning property of microfabricated surface textures possessing different topologies are compared. In one kind of surface textures, the protruded regions form a connected square network. In the other kind of surface textures, the protruded regions form a regular array of square posts. We find that the water apparent contact angle of the connected textures agrees with the Cassie equation [Discuss. Faraday Soc. 3, 11 (1948)], but that of the disconnected textures is much larger. Nevertheless, the disconnected textures exhibit inferior self-cleaning property, contrary to conventional conception. We discuss the possible reasons for these observations.
Zhang
Xueyun
X
Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
Kong
B
B
Tsui
O K C
OK
Yang
X
X
Mi
Y
Y
Chan
C M
CM
Xu
B
B