Nanoengineered multiscale hierarchical structures with tailored wetting properties

A simple method for fabricating micro/nanoscale hierarchical structures is presented using a two-step temperature-directed capillary molding technique. This lithographic method involves a sequential application of the molding process in which a uniform polymer-coated surface is molded with a patterned mold by means of capillary force above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Various microstructures and nanostructures were fabricated with minimum resolution down to approximately 50 nm with good reproducibility. Also contact angle measurements of water indicated that two wetting states coexist on a multiscale hierarchical structure where heterogeneous wetting is dominant for the microstructure and homogeneous wetting for the nanostructure. A simple theoretical model combining these two wetting states was presented, which was in good agreement with the experimental data. Using this approach, multiscale hierarchical structures for biomimetic functional surfaces can be fabricated with precise control over geometrical parameters and the wettability of a solid surface can be tailored in a controllable manner.