Abstract
We report electrically controlled membranes which become permeable when an electrical field is exerted on a droplet deposited on the membrane. Micro-porous polycarbonate membranes are obtained with the breath-figures assembly technique, using micro-scaled stainless steel gauzes as supports. The membranes demonstrate pronounced Cassie-Baxter wetting. Air cushions trapped by the droplet prevent water penetration through the membrane. We demonstrate two possibilities for controlling the permeability of the membrane, namely contact and non-contact scenarios. When an electrical field is exerted on a droplet deposited on the membrane, the triple-line is de-pinned and the wetting transition occurs in the non-contact scheme. Thus, the membrane becomes permeable. The contact scheme of the permeability control is based on the electrowetting phenomenon.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 3028 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 23 Oct 2013 |