Biofouling resistant materials based on micro‐structured surfaces with liquid‐repellent properties

Adhesion of contaminants on various polymer-based devices during fluid-substrate interactions is a common problem that can cause biofouling andcorrosion. In this study, hierarchical structures with submicron features onpolypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polycarbonate (PC)are fabricated by femtosecond laser ablation. The effect of the hierarchicalstructures on surface wettability, droplet impact, and bacterial attachment hasbeen examined. Our results demonstrate that the structured polymeric sub-strates facilitate large contact angles and minimal interfacial adhesion, allowingdroplets to roll off at a low angle of inclination below 5◦. Further, rendering thehierarchicalstructureswithalow-surface-energycoatingcanenablethesurfacesto exhibit superamphiphobic properties. The low interfacial adhesion properties,as accounted by the large contact angles and small contact angle hysteresis, ofsuch surfaces prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. The findingsprovide a design principle for creating affordable biofouling resistant surfaceswith a submicron topography hat can be used for engineering and biomedical devices.