Self-Assembled Hierarchical Nanoporous Structures for Durable Lubricant-Infused Surfaces

This work demonstrates a method for fabricating water-repelling lubricant infused surfaces (LISs) with enhanced durability of infused lubricant. Utilizing multi-tiered surface features composed of a primary nanoporous silicon nanopore array with a secondary layer of copper oxide nanostructures, the fabricated surface displays superior lubricant retention under water droplet shedding conditions compared to reference samples with larger surface patterns. Furthermore, passive recovery in drained regions was also observed, showcasing versatility of the surface’s design. The fabrication methods and results presented offer pathways for developing simplified and effective nanoscale surfaces for applications in nanoscale research and fabrication.