1 / 2021-05-17 15:29:59

Highly-efficient nanosecond laser-based surface texturing for fabrication of multi-functional surface

laser technique,chemical modification,superhydrophobic surface,micro/nanostructure,corrosion resistance

In recent years, laser-based manufacturing techniques have been widely utilized for the fabrication of functional surfaces. However, the existing laser-based methods still require technical improvement in terms of the processing efficiency, production cost, and durability/reliability of the processed surface. This work aims to develop a novel highly-efficient laser-based surface micro/nanostructuring technique for fabrication of multifunctional surface. This technique combines laser surface texturing and chemical etching: Firstly, a nanosecond pulsed laser is used to pre-condition the surface within a specific processing window; Secondly, the laser textured surface is further chemically treated to reveal the micro/nanostructure generated on the surface, and the surface chemistry is also finely tuned to control the surface wettability. The experimental results indicate that the laser-chemical induced micro/nanostructured surface becomes superhydrophobic, and the surface microhardness has also been enhanced. More importantly, the laser-chemical treated surface exhibits significantly improved corrosion resistance in both the underwater and marine atmospheric environments. This technique increases the processing rate compared with the conventional laser texturing techniques, and reduces the production cost. This technique could have strong potential to render a series of application in the area of marine engineering.