Laser Microfabrication of Janus Tapered Aluminum Foil for Self‐Driven Transportation of Bubbles

• Published in: Advanced engineering materials 2022-09, Vol.24 (9), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Han, Jiang, Tang, Jianping, Tian, Xiaoqing, You, Tongfei, Xia, Lian, Yao, Yansheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bubble; Janus; laser processing; self-driven; surface wettability
• ISSN: 1438-1656; 1527-2648
• DOI: 10.1002/adem.202101789

The multidimensional regulation of the directional transport of bubbles is of great importance in the field of subsea gas extraction, with the increased complexity of controlling the direction of underwater bubble transport making it more challenging. Herein, drawing on a variety of bionic technologies, nanosecond laser processing combined with a low surface energy reagent modification to prepare porous hydrophobic/superhydrophobic Janus tapered aluminum foil (JTAF) is used. The wettability gradient of JTAF promotes unidirectionally self‐driven penetration of bubbles, and the shape gradient facilitates self‐driven transport of bubbles from the tip to the root. The synergistic effect of the two gradient forces endows bubbles with unidirectional self‐driven transport capability in both the buoyancy direction and the antibuoyancy direction. Finally, the JTAFs are used as bipolar electrodes in electrolysis cells to achieve gas generation, self‐driven transport, and collection processes by electrolyzing saturated saltwater. This simple, low‐cost, controlled approach to laser processing of the JTAF has tremendous potential for underwater self‐driven gas transport and is a promising tool for solving energy and environmental problems. Herein, a Janus tapered aluminum foil (JTAF) with asymmetric wettability is generated by the laser. The wettability gradient of the JTAF promotes the unidirectional self‐driven penetration of bubbles, while the shape gradient boosts the spontaneous transport of bubbles in the horizontal direction. Finally, the JTAFs are applied in an electrolytic saltwater device, effectively validating the application of the JTAF.