Fabrication of transparent superhydrophobic surface on thermoplastic polymer using laser beam machining and compression molding for mass production

Superhydrophobic surface has unique characteristics such as water repellence and self-cleaning, and especially transparent superhydrophobic surfaces have wide applications for self-cleaned solar cells, protective optics, and building windows. In this research, laser beam machining with ultra-violet (UV) nanosecond pulse laser was utilized for fabrication of the surface textured metal mold, and the replica of thermoplastic polymer was fabricated using compression molding for mass production. Water droplet contact angle and transmittance were measured to confirm the superhydrophobicity and transparency. By controlling pattern size, the transparent superhydrophobic surface was fabricated, and the effect of pattern size was studied with wetting states. (C) 2014 CIRP.