posted on 2013-02-13, 00:00authored byHua Jin, Xuelin Tian, Olli Ikkala, Robin H. A. Ras
Superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning require a combination
of surface topography and low-energy surfaces, where mechanical damage
of the topography or contamination with oils lead to loss of the nonwetting
properties. We show that such vulnerability can be solved by superamphiphobic
(i.e., both superhydrophobic and superoleophobic) surfactant-coated
aerogel surfaces. Using silica aerogels as model materials, the self-similar
network structure allows fresh re-entrant surface topographies even
after removal of the uppermost layer upon mechanical abrasion, and
superoleophobicity suppresses oil contamination. Given the recent
progress toward mechanically strong aerogels, we foresee that the
concept can open routes for robust self-cleaning coating technologies.