Biofouling resistant materials based on micro‐structured surfaces with liquid‐repellent properties

Abstract

Abstract Adhesion of contaminants on various polymer‐based devices during fluid‐substrate interactions is a common problem that can cause biofouling and corrosion. In this study, hierarchical structures with submicron features on polypropylene (PP), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), and polycarbonate (PC) are fabricated by femtosecond laser ablation. The effect of the hierarchical structures on surface wettability, droplet impact, and bacterial attachment has been examined. Our results demonstrate that the structured polymeric substrates facilitate large contact angles and minimal interfacial adhesion, allowing droplets to roll off at a low angle of inclination below 5°. Further, rendering the hierarchical structures with a low‐surface‐energy coating can enable the surfaces to exhibit superamphiphobic properties. The low interfacial adhesion properties, as accounted by the large contact angles and small contact angle hysteresis, of such surfaces prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. The findings provide a design principle for creating affordable biofouling resistant surfaces with a submicron topography that can be used for engineering and biomedical devices.

Keywords

• anti‐biofouling
• droplet impact
• micro‐porous structure
• polymer
• superhydrophobic surfaces