Lee H.S., Lee S.M., Lee H.S., Lee S.M., Kwon T.H.
Pohang University of Science and Technology, KR
Keywords: contact angle, hydrophobicity, plant leaf, UV-NIL
In this study, we have attempted to reproduce the hydrophobic characteristics of plant leaves from nature by replicating the micro/nano feature of leaf surface in UV embossed film. The contact angle (CA) of the replicated film turns out to be a little smaller than that of the nature, and yet large enough to offer hydrophobic characteristics to the film. This study carried out an experimental investigation on fabrication of hydrophobic films which replicate the micro/nano structure of plant leaves in nature by means of UV nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) technology. For this work, we developed a UV-NIL equipment. Finding appropriate processing conditions for UV-NIL, we were able to produce hydrophobic films without ruining severely the micro/nano structure of these plant leaves. And the surface topology of those films was observed by SEM and AFM. Also to evaluate the hydrophobicity of the reproduced film surface, CA was measured by contact angle meter. And we also defined a replication measure constant to estimate replication quality. Through these measurements of CA and replication measure constant, we were able to see the feasibility of hydrophobic film fabrication by replicating surface of plant leaves.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 8, 2005
Pages: 369 - 372
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topics: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications, Coatings, Surfaces & Membranes
ISBN: 0-9767985-1-4