Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Superhydrophobic Surfaces Engineered Using Diatomaceous Earth

Abstract

We present a simple method to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces using siliceous exoskeleton of diatoms, a widespread group of algae. This makes diatomaceous earth an accessible and cheap natural material. A micro/nanoscale hierarchical topography was achieved by coating a glass surface with diatomaceous earth, giving rise to a superhydrophilic surface. Superhydrophobic surfaces were obtained by a further surface chemical modification through fluorosilanization. The wettability of the superhydrophobic surface can be modified by Argon plasma treatment in a controlled way by exposure time variation. The chemical surface modification by fluorosilanization and posterior fluorinated SH surface modification by plasma treatment was analyzed by XPS. Using appropriated hollowed masks only specific areas on the surface were exposed to plasma permitting to pattern hydrophilic features with different geometries on the superhydrophobic surface. We showed that the present strategy can be also applied in other substrates, including thermoplastics, enlarging the potential applicability of the resulting surfaces.

Journal
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Volume
5
Issue
10
Pagination
4202–4208
Publisher
ACS Publications
ISSN
1944-8252
URL
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/am4003759
Keywords
bioinspiration, diatomaceous earth, micropatterning, superhydrophobic surfaces, Surface modification
Rights
Restricted Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Year of Publication
2013
DOI
10.1021/am4003759
Date Published
2013-05-22
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