Hybrid nanosecond laser processing and heat treatment for rapid preparation of super-hydrophobic copper surface

Abstract

The super-hydrophobic copper surface was obtained by using a nanosecond pulsed laser. Different micro-and nano-structures were fabricated by changing the laser scanning interval and scanning speed, before heating in an electric heater at 150◦ C for two hours to explore the effect of laser parameters and heat treatment on the wettability of the copper surface. It was found that the laser-treated copper surface is super-hydrophilic, and then, after the heat treatment, the surface switches to hydrophobic or even super-hydrophobic. The best super-hydrophobic surface’s apparent contact angle (APCA) was 155.6◦, and the water sliding angle (WSA) was 4◦. Super-hydrophobic copper is corrosion-resistant, self-cleaning, and dust-proof, and can be widely used in various mechanical devices.