Fabrication and characterization of superhydrophobic surfaces with dynamic stability

Superhydrophobic surfaces of dynamic stability are crucial for applications in water-repellent materials. In this work, a hierarchical structure composed of a dendritic microporous surface with nanostructured porosity is demonstrated that shows robust superhydrophobicity with dynamic stability. The hierarchical structures are obtained on both copper foils and wires by a dynamic gas-bubble template-assisted electrochemical deposition method. The substrates can then be modifi ed with alkyl thiols to obtain the surface superhydrophobicity. A new kind of testing, mechanical monitor-assisted continuous water surface strokes, is developed to reveal the dynamic stability of the as-prepared superhydrophobic copper wires. The as-prepared superhydrophobic copper wires can exert a high propulsive force, and particularly, show little adhesive force in the process of continuous strokes on the water surface, exhibiting robust superhydrophobicity with dynamic stability. The approach allows a strategy for the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces with dynamic stability, and suggests a new method to evaluate the dynamic stability of superhydrophobic surfaces. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.