Lotus Effect in Engineered Zirconia

• Published in: Nano letters Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 988 - 996
• Main Authors: Namavar, Fereydoon, Cheung, Chin Li, Sabirianov, Renat F, Mei, Wai-Ning, Zeng, Xiao Cheng, Wang, Gonghua, Haider, Hani, Garvin, Kevin L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.04.2008
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Mechanical and acoustical properties; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties of nanoscale materials; Nanostructures; Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic; Physics; Solid-fluid interfaces; Surface Properties; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Wetting; X-Ray Diffraction; Zirconium - chemistry; Thin films; Wettability; Zirconium oxide; Wetting; Wear; Mechanical properties; Nanostructures; Hardness; Medical application; Tribology
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/nl072147v

Patterned micro- and nanostructured surfaces have received increasing attention because of their ability to tune the hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of their surfaces. However, the mechanical properties of these studied surfaces are not sufficiently robust for load-bearing applications. Here we report transparent nanocrystalline ZrO2 films possessing combined properties of hardness and complete wetting behavior, which are expected to benefit tribology, wear reduction, and biomedical applications where ultrahydrophilic surfaces are required. This ultrahydrophilic behavior may be explained by the Wenzel model.