Selective de-silanization assisted wettability patterning of aluminum surfaces

Hybrid surfaces with spatial wettability control are key for wider applicability in microfluidics, water harvesting, and inkjet printing. The patterned wettable surface is limited in its use on a broad scale due to the technological challenges of applying it to curved surfaces. In this study, we explore and demonstrate a desilanization technique to pattern hydrophilic spots on a superhydrophobic background. A simple chemical etching technique followed by functionalization with a low-surface-energy polymer yielded superhydrophobicity with contact angle of 178° ± 1° and sliding angle