Hierarchical Structures Obtained by Breath Figures Self-Assembly and Chemical Etching and their Wetting Properties

Hierarchical micro- and nanometrically scaled polymer surfaces obtained with breath fi gures self-assembly and chemical etching are reported. Honeycomb polymer surfaces fabricated with breath fi gures self-assembly were used as a template for preparing nano-scaled topography. The wetting properties of the surfaces were investigated. The surfaces demonstrate high apparent contact angles accompanied with the high contact angle hysteresis typical for the “rose petal effect”. Cold air plasma treatment converts the hierarchical polycarbonate surfaces into superhydrophilic. The effect of the hydrophobic recovery observed on the hierarchical polymer surfaces was studied. The results of B.E.T. study of the presented surfaces are reported.