View source for Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity

==Introduction==

Most of current state-of-the-art superhydrophobic surfaces are based on the lotus leaf effect, where they owe their superhydrophobic nature to the composite air-solid-liquid interface (Cassie-Baxter model) which reduces solid-liquid contact area resulting in liquid repellency. This approach works well for liquid such as water, but not for liquid with small surface tensions such as most hydrocarbons. Wong et al has designed a new kind of liquid-repelling surface based on a completely different physical principle, inspired by the pitcher plant Nepenthes. The surface consists of a sponge-like material which is filled with a lubricating film that is smooth to the atomic level. Any liquid that is immiscible with the lubricating liquid can then easily be rolled off. Moreover, the surface, dubbed Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) can withstand high pressures and exhibit impressive self-repairing capabilities.

==Results==

[[Image:surface1.png]]

Figure 1. Design of SLIPS. a, Schematics showing the fabrication of a SLIPS by infiltrating a functionalized porous/textured solid with a low-surface energy, chemically inert liquid to form a physically smooth and chemically homogeneous lubricating film on the surface of the substrate. b, Comparison of the stability and displacement of lubricating films on silanized and non-silanized textured epoxy substrates. Top panels show schematic side views; bottom panels show time-lapse optical images of top views. Dyed pentane was used to enhance visibility. c, Scanning electron micrographs showing the morphologies of porous/textured substrate materials: an epoxy-resin-based nanofabricated post array (left) and a Teflon-based porous nanofibre network (right). d, Optical micrographs demonstrating the mobility of a low-surface-tension liquid hydrocarbon—hexane (γ<sub>A</sub> = 18.6 ±0.5 mN m<sup>-1</sup>, volume ~ 3.6 μl)—sliding on a SLIPS at a low angle (𝛼=3.0<sup>0</sup>).

[[Image:surface2.png]]

Figure 2. Omniphobicity and high-pressure stability of SLIPS. a, Time-sequence images comparing mobility of pentane droplets ((γ<sub>A</sub>= 517.260.5mN m<sup>-1</sup>, volume ~ 30 μl) on a SLIPS and a superhydrophobic, air-containing Teflon porous surface. Pentane is repelled on the SLIPS, but it wets and stains the traditional superhydrophobic surface. b, Comparison of contact angle hysteresis as a function of surface tension of test liquids (indicated) on SLIPS and on an omniphobic surface reported in ref. 9. In the inset, the advancing and receding contact angles of a liquid droplet are denoted as θ<sub>adv</sub>, and θ<sub>rec</sub>, respectively. SLIPS 1, 2 and 3 refer to the surfaces made of Teflon porous membrane (SLIPS 1), an array of epoxy posts of Pressure (atm) geometry 1 (pitch ~ 2 μm, height ~ 5 μm, post diameter ~ 300 nm) (SLIPS 2) and an array of epoxy posts of geometry 2 (pitch~900 nm, height~500 nm– 2 mm, post diameter ,300 nm) (SLIPS 3). Error bars indicate standard deviations from three independent measurements. c, A plot showing the high pressure stability of SLIPS, as evident from the low sliding angle of a decane droplet (cA 5 23.6 6 0.1 mN m21, volume ,3 ml) subjected to pressurized nitrogen gas in a pressure chamber (Supplementary Methods, Supplementary Movie 1). Error bars indicate standard deviations from at least seven independent measurements.

[[Image:surface3.png]]

Figure 3 | Repellency of complex fluids, ice and insects by SLIPS.
a, Movement of light crude oil on a substrate composed of a SLIPS, a superhydrophobic Teflon porous membrane, and a flat hydrophobic surface. Note the slow movement on and staining of the latter two regions (Supplementary Movie 3). b, Comparison of the ability to repel blood by a SLIPS, a superhydrophobic Teflon porous membrane, and a flat hydrophilic glass surface. Note the slow movement on and staining of the latter two regions (Supplementary Movie 4). c, Ice mobility on a SLIPS (highlighted in green) compared to strong adhesion to an epoxy-resin-based nanostructured superhydrophobic surface (highlighted in yellow, see also Supplementary Movie 5). The experiments were performed outdoors (note the snow in the background) when temperature and relative humidity were –4 uC and ,45%, respectively. Note also the reduced frosting and the resulting transparency of the SLIPS. d, Demonstration of the inability of a carpenter ant to hold on to SLIPS. The ant (and a drop of fruit jam it is attracted to) slide along the SLIPS when the surface is tilted (Supplementary Movie 6). Note that the ant can stably attach to normal flat hydrophobic surfaces, such as Teflon. All scale bars represent 10 mm.

==References==

1. T.S. Wong, S.H. Kang, S.K.Y. Tang, E.J. Smythe, B.D. Hatton, A. Grinthal & J. Aizenberg, "Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity", Nature 2011