Micro-Nanostructured Silicone Rubber Surfaces Using Compression Molding

A facile method is introduced for production of micro-nanostructured silicone rubber surfaces by means of direct replication using a compression molding system. The fabricated samples possessing surface roughness display water contact angle of more than 160 degrees and contact angle hysteresis (CAH) and sliding angle of less than 5 degrees. Such low surface wettability of silicone specimens verifies the induced superhydrophobic property. Chemically etched aluminum surfaces could work excellently as templates whose patterns were replicated on the rubber surfaces successfully. Various etching conditions were examined. Surface characterization techniques revealed the presence of micro-nanostructures on the produced silicone surfaces.