Spreading Behavior of Oil on Hierarchical Microstructured PET Surfaces Fabricated Using Hot-Embossing Combined with Laser-Based Methods

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

In this study, the wetting behavior of microstructured polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foils for polar and nonpolar liquids produced by plate-to-plate hot embossing is investigated. For the embossing step, stainless steel plates are used as stamps, which are microstructured with single-scaled and hierarchical textures using direct laser writing and two-beam direct laser interference patterning. The imprinted microstructures, containing pillar- and line-like textures, show increased water contact angles combined with a superoleophilic behavior. Time-resolved measurements reveal that oil droplets spread rapidly on the hierarchical textures with velocities of up to 1.4 mm(2) s(-1). This functionalization of PET foils creates new opportunities for a wide range of industrial applications, such as the use of oil-based instead of solvent-based paints, an improved distribution of lubricants in mechanical components or for oil-water separation in maritime surroundings.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2202410
Number of pages11
JournalAdvanced materials interfaces
Volume10
Issue number13
Early online dateApr 2023
Publication statusPublished - May 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85151417767
ORCID /0000-0003-4333-4636/work/196675390

Keywords

Keywords

  • Direct laser interference patterning, Direct laser writing, Hierarchical structures, Hot embossing, Oil spreading, Polyethylene terephthalate, Stainless steel