Anisotropic Wetting Surfaces with One-Dimesional and Directional Structures: Fabrication Approaches, Wetting Properties and Potential Applications

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2012-03, Vol.24 (10), p.1287-1302
• Main Authors: Xia, Deying, Johnson, Leah M., López, Gabriel P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anisotropic wetting; biosensors; microfluidics; one-dimensional (1D); patterned surfaces
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201104618

This review article provides a brief summary of recent research progress on anisotropic wetting on one‐dimensional (1D) and directionally patterned surfaces, as well as the technical importance in various applications. Inspiration from natural structures exhibiting anisotropic wetting behavior is first discussed. Development of fabrication techniques for topographically and chemically 1D patterned surfaces and directional nanomaterials are then reviewed, with emphasis on anisotropic behavior with topographically (structurally) patterned surfaces. The basic investigation of anisotropic wetting behavior and theoretical simulations for anisotropic wetting are also further reviewed. Perspectives concerning future direction of anisotropic wetting research and its potential applications in microfluidic devices, lab‐on‐a‐chip, sensor, microreactor and self‐cleaning are presented. New developments in anisotropic wetting on 1D and directional patterned surfaces in recent years (i.e., 2005–2011) are reviewed in this paper. Both natural surfaces and fabricated surfaces using various approaches with 1D patterned surfaces or directional nanostructures exhibit obvious anisotropic static or dynamic wetting behavior. Some modeling and simulation methods are proposed to interpret the observed anisotropic wetting. Many potential applications exist for anisotropic wetting surfaces.