Slippery lubricant-infused textured aluminum surfaces

To overcome instability of the lotus-inspired surfaces, slippery lubricant-infused surfaces inspired by Nepenthes pitcher plant were fabricated by the combination of fluorinated hierarchical texture and perfluoropolyether (PFPE). The hierarchical structures composed of facets, cavities, and nanoflakes were formed on the aluminum substrates by the HCl etching and the boiling water treatment. After surface fluorination, PFPE can spread over the textured aluminum surfaces via capillary effect to form continuous and homogeneous liquid films. The liquid repellency of the textured surface was demonstrated by visible experimental results and contact angle measurements. Due to the hierarchical structures that trapped enough lubricant and resisted the deformation of lubricant film, the lubricant-infused textured aluminum surface exhibited an excellent liquid repellency, low sliding angles for various liquids, and high environmental durability. Therefore, this slippery aluminum surface would be a good candidate for liquid-repellent surfaces to meet emerging needs in practical applications.