Biomimetic Super “Silicate” Phobicity and Superhydrophobicity of Ceramic Material

Abstract

Plants exhibit a huge variety of biologically functional surfaces with rather unique characteristics. Analysis and mimicking of the surface leaf of the lotus plant have recently been used to develop biomimetic water repellency surfaces. A functional ceramic coating with the “lotus leaf effect” is also an interesting option in aggressive environments to mitigate corrosion by natural silicate melts. Here, inspired by natural superhydrophobic surfaces, and through the application of femtosecond laser pulses, a ceramic surface is fabricated with a hierarchical nano/microstructure. This ceramic surface exhibits the combined effects of super “silicate” phobicity at high temperature and superhydrophobicity at room temperature. The capability of the laser-irradiated TBC is attributed to resist wetting by both silicate melt and water to its lotus-leaf-like dual-scale microstructure, emulating in particular the existence of nanoparticles. These findings may be an important step toward next-generation jet engines with greatly reduced vulnerability to environmental siliceous debris and mitigate lunar or Mars regolith dust sticking to the landing vehicle in the rocket engine exhaust plume and anti-slagging in coal-fired power plants or further industries.