Patterning of controllable surface wettability for printing techniques

Abstract

Patterning of controllable surface wettability has attracted wide scientific attention due to its importance in both fundamental research and practical applications. In particular, it is crucial to form clear image areas and non-image areas in printing techniques based on wetting and dewetting. This review summarizes the recent research on and applications of patterning of controllable surface wettability for printing techniques, with a focus on the design and fabrication of the precise surface wettability patterning by enhancing the contrast of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, such as superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity. The selected topics mainly include patterned surface wettability for lithographic printing with different plate-making techniques, patterned surface wettability for microcontact printing with a patterned wetting stamp and special wettability mediated patterning microtransfer printing, patterned surface wettability for inkjet printing with controllable surface wettability of the substrate and printing head to ink, and patterned surface wettability by a combination of different printing techniques. A personal perspective on the future development and remaining challenges of this research is also briefly discussed. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.