Fabrication of micro/nano hydrophobic surfaces by a soft molding method using polyurethane-based elastomer

Abstract

In this research, a stretchable and non-sticky hydrophobic surface is developed using flexible polyurethane-based elastomer Vytaflex 20A. The hierarchical roughness of rose petals was replicated by soft molding method to achieve hydrophobicity. The morphological properties, wettability properties and mechanical properties of replicated micro/nanostructures were characterized. The replicated surface exhibited a similar micro/nanostructure to that of rose petal. Rose petal and replicated surface were highly hydrophobic and their static water contact angles (θ ≈ 124°) are nearly equal. Contact angle hysteresis of the produced surface was measured (10°) to be lower significantly than that of the fresh rose petal (50°). The proposed surface is also highly stretchable having an elongation value of approximately % 700. Such surfaces can be a great candidate for providing easy to clean ability to deformable elastomer products.