Direct Laser Writing of Superhydrophobic PDMS Elastomers for Controllable Manipulation via Marangoni Effect

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 27; no. 44
• Main Authors: Wang, Wei, Liu, Yu‐Qing, Liu, Yan, Han, Bing, Wang, Huan, Han, Dong‐Dong, Wang, Jian‐Nan, Zhang, Yong‐Lai, Sun, Hong‐Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 24.11.2017
• Subjects: Asymmetric structures; Devices; Direct laser writing; Drag; Drag reduction; Elastomers; Electromagnetic absorption; Floating structures; Laser beams; Lasers; Light; light driving devices; Light sources; light‐to‐work conversion; Marangoni convection; Materials science; Photothermal conversion; photothermal surface tension effects; Polydimethylsiloxane; Silicone resins; Stability; superhydrophobic surfaces; Surface tension
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201702946

Direct light‐to‐work conversion enables manipulating remote devices in a contactless, controllable, and continuous manner. Although some pioneering works have already proven the feasibility of controlling devices through light‐irradiation‐induced surface tension gradients, challenges remain, including the flexible integration of efficient photothermal materials, multifunctional structure design, and fluidic drag reduction. This paper reports a facile one‐step method for preparing light‐driven floating devices with functional surfaces for both light absorption and drag reduction. The direct laser writing technique is employed for both arbitrary patterning and surface modification. By integrating the functional layer at the desired position or by designing asymmetric structures, three typical light‐driven floating devices with fast linear or rotational motions are demonstrated. Furthermore, these devices can be driven by a variety of light sources including sunlight, a filament lamp, or laser beams. The approach provides a simple, green, and cost‐effective strategy for building functional floating devices and smart light‐driven actuators. A facile fabrication of superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers structures that permit controllable manipulation via Marangoni effectthat permit controllable manipulation via Marangoni effect is reported here. Direct laser writing technology is employed to apply a light absorbing and superhydrophobic layer on the PDMS surface. By integrating the functional layer at the desired position or by designing asymmetric structures, typical light‐driven devices with fast linear or rotational motions are demonstrated.