Geometrically tuned and chemically switched wetting properties of silicon nanotips
Journal
Nanotechnology
Journal Volume
17
Journal Issue
10
Pages
2542-2545
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
The wetting properties of silicon nanotips (SiNTs) are discussed. SiNTs were prepared by single step dry etching of silicon wafers in an electron cyclotron resonance plasma of silane, methane, argon and hydrogen and water contact angles were measured as a function of their aspect ratio (α) and the inter-tip distance. The hydrophilic nature of the SiNTs is tunable with α and the inter-tip distance. Super-hydrophilicity with water contact angles close to 2° was observed with α>12 (length ∼1500 nm). Upon coating a 1500 nm long SiNT with TiO(2), the water contact angle jumped from 2° to ∼140°, demonstrating a switchover from super-hydrophilic to hydrophobic surface properties.
SDGs
Publisher
Institute of Physics Publishing
Type
journal article