Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Hierarchical Structures on PET Surfaces by Hot Embossing with in Situ Growth of Silver Nanoparticles

This study presents a novel approach for achieving superhydrophobic properties on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces by combining hot embossing and in situ growth of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The resulting surface features a hierarchical micro-nano composite structure, with micron-scale stripes overlaid by nanoscale bumps formed by Ag NPs. This structure exhibits high roughness as well as low surface energy, which contribute to its excellent superhydrophobicity. The contact angle (CA) of the surface can reach 162°, representing a significant improvement compared to smooth PET surfaces, with a 70% increase. Furthermore, the Ag NPs present on the surface offer additional functionalities, including electrical and thermal conductivity, optical properties and antibacterial properties. This research opens up new possibilities for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces on thermoplastic materials like PET and expands the potential applications of PET in various fields.