Biomimetic modification of polymeric surfaces: A promising pathway for tuning of wetting and adhesion

Abstract

Progress in using biomimetic micropatterning of surfaces for tuning of wetting and adhesion properties of polymeric materials is reported. Surface patterning with low aspect ratios and low surface energy leads to superhydrophobicity and low adhesion while surface patterning with high aspect ratios leads to high adhesion. The condition of high aspect ratio and/or high number density creates the risk of fibril bundling owing to the adhesion between fibrils. A thin film-terminated structure can help overcome this problem and increase adhesion. In contrast to the spatular contacts, the conformal adhesion at interface can be enhanced significantly by creating micropatterns; the enhancement monotonically increases with the aspect ratios, where the side-wall friction plays an important role. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.