Bioinspired Mechanically Robust Metal-Based Water Repellent Surface Enabled by Scalably Constructing a Flexible Coral-Reef Like Cu-Based Architecture

This study assesses the durability of superhydrophobic surfaces that possess a scalable architecture similar in morphology to branching or corymbose coral. In the experiments, electrolytic copper powders with a coral-like morphology are cold sprayed onto metal, ceramic, and glass substrates, forming a textured copper layer with a structural hierarchy based on the morphology of the powder. After cold spraying, a flame treatment is applied, creating a porous layer of Cu₂O over the pliable Cu surface, which further increases roughness. As a final step, a fluoroalkyl silane spray is applied to reduce surface energy. It is shown that the fluorinated surface retains its excellent water repellency after cyclic bending and folding, sand-grit erosion, knife-scratching, and even heavy loading with simulated acid rain. It also retains its adhesion to glass (17 MPa), ceramic (12 MPa), and metal (34 MPa) substrates.