Objective quantification of surface roughness parameters affecting superhydrophobicity.

This study proposes new optical roughness parameters that can be objectively quantified using image processing techniques, and presents an analysis of how these parameters are correlated with the degree of superhydrophobicity. To this end, photolithography and dry etching processes were used to form regular square pillars with different heights and spacings with a length of tens of micro-meters on silicon wafers. Optical roughness parameters of the specimens were obtained using image processing, and surface wettability was characterized using static contact angle and sliding angle measurements for water droplets of volume = 3.

Effect of crystallinity on the recovery rate of superhydrophobicity in plasma-nanostructured polymers.

This study explored the optimum conditions to achieve superhydrophobicity in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in terms of crystallinity and microstructure. Surface superhydrophobicity was achieved by nanostructures induced by oxygen plasma etching and the recovery process of low surface energy through thermal aging of various PETs; semi-crystalline biaxial PET (B-PET) film, amorphous PET (A-PET) film, and semi-crystalline PET (F-PET) fabric. Under the anisotropic plasma etching, the nanostructures on the B-PET film were the longest, followed by the F-PET fabric, which developed a hierarchical micro/nanostructure, then the A-PET film.

Facile fabrication of multifunctional fabrics: use of copper and silver nanoparticles for antibacterial, superhydrophobic, conductive fabrics.

This study aims to develop a multifunctional fabric for antibacterial, superhydrophobic and conductive performance using a facile fabrication method. Conductive metal particles, copper and silver, were used as antibacterial agents as well as a means to create nanoscale roughness on the fabric surface. Subsequent hydrophobic coating with 1-dodecanethiol produced a superhydrophobic surface.

Electric heated cotton fabrics with durable conductivity and self-cleaning properties.

This study was carried out to improve durability and reduce conductivity degradation of polypyrrole-deposited cotton fabrics by introducting a superhydrophobic surface. An polymerization method was used to polymerize the polypyrrole on the cotton fabric, and the surface energy was lowered using -dodecyltrimethoxysilane to create a superhydrophobic surface. In particular, to investigate the durability of the conductivity according to the superhydrophobic surface, the changes of surface resistance were examined after repeated exposure to air, moisture, and friction.

Development of a superhydrophobic electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) web plasma etching and water immersion for energy harvesting applications.

Smart textiles have been enormously developed recently, but attachment of batteries and low washing resistance are the major challenges in the development of wearable smart textiles. However, piezoelectric materials harvesting energy from mechanical action can be readily integrated with smart textiles and can replace conventional batteries. Therefore, energy harvesters with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were fabricated by the electrospinning process.