Vein-like directional transport platform of water on open aluminiuml substrate

In this work, a way to achieve effective directional transport of water on superhydrophobic surface is presented. An aluminium (Al) superhydrophobic surface was prepared by chemical etching method. After being treated by cold nitrogen plasma jet, a superhydrophilic track pattern corresponding to the mask was then fabricated. The vein-like structure of the liquid transport platform was composed of a trunk and several branches, both having wedge angles. Driven by surface tension, water droplets at any location of the dripping area can be transported against gravity. This method is reusable and could be widely used in the directional transportation and water recycling.