Real‐Time Monitoring and Quantification of Underwater Superhydrophobicity

• DOI: 10.1002/admi.202101393
• Publication Date: 2021-12-17T10:32:45Z
• Authors: Athanasios Smyrnakis; Dimosthenis Ioannou; Kosmas Ellinas; Angeliki Tserepi; Evangelos Gogolides
• Keywords: Nanometre; Air layer

Abstract Long‐lasting underwater superhydrophobicity involves stable‐in‐time air layer trapped and retained between a submersed surface the overlying liquid. Due to its nature, it is rather difficult accurately observe this in submerged systems, let alone measure it. Here, white light reflectance spectroscopy used for real‐time monitoring (acquisition speed 50–200 ms) of as well calculation entrapped thickness on “everlasting” polymeric superhydrophobic surfaces fabricated by plasma micro‐nanotexturing. The proposed method enables accurate layers with thicknesses ranging from few nanometers several tens micrometers involving small bubbles. In addition, different scale topographies micro‐nanotextured are tested found retain at least 60 days. As demonstration, also monitored real time when titrating water low tension liquids. Among tested, exhibiting hierarchical topography high roughness ratio able stable liquids down 44 mN m −1 .