Surfaces With Roughness Gradient and Invariant Surface Chemistry Produced by Means of Gas Aggregation Source and Magnetron Sputtering

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers 2016-06, Vol.13 (6), p.663-671
• Main Authors: Petr, Martin, Kylián, Ondřej, Hanuš, Jan, Kuzminova, Anna, Vaidulych, Mykhailo, Khalakhan, Ivan, Choukourov, Andrei, Slavínská, Danka, Biederman, Hynek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Coatings; gas aggregation sources; gradient surfaces; Invariants; Magnetron sputtering; Nanoparticles; Roughness; Surface chemistry; Wettability
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201500202

Surfaces whose properties change gradually along the sample length, so‐called gradient surfaces, are highly interesting for fundamental studies focused on the interaction between biomolecules or cells and surfaces. In this study, we investigate simple, vacuum‐based strategy for fabrication of surfaces with gradient nanoroughness and wettability. This approach is based on the application of gas aggregation source of nanoparticles combined with the magnetron sputtering of poly(tetrafluoroethylene). It is shown that this technique makes it possible to produce coatings with invariant surface chemistry, but with gradient roughness in the range 0.5–20 nm and wettability gradient that ranges from 100° up to 150°, i.e., coatings with hydrophobic to superhydrophobic character. Method for fabrication of surfaces with gradient nanoroughness and wettability is presented. This method is based on the application of gas aggregation source of nanoparticles combined with magnetron sputtering of poly(tetrafluoroethylene). It is shown that this technique enables production of coatings with gradient roughness and wettability gradient with invariant surface chemistry.