(220d) Controlled Superhydrophobicity of Lacquered Metal Surface by Liquid Flame Spray Doposited TiO2 Nanoparticles

In order to achieve new properties for painted or lacquered surfaces, nanosized Liquid Flame Sprayed particles may be deposited on such surfaces. Here, we demonstrate how to tune the wettability properties of lacquered surfaces with simple titania nanocoating. Titanium dioxide is hydrophilic material by nature. However, we have managed to create a lotus surface using titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The lotus surface promotes the superhydrophobic properties of the surface over the hydrophilicity of titanium dioxide. Having the both properties combined in the material results a rose petal effect on the surface. Rose petal effect meaning that we have a superhydrophobic structure on which water droplets stick onto due to the hydrophilic nature of titanium dioxide. The lotus surface comprises of two main components. The micro-scale roughness is because of roughness of lacquer layer and on top of that we deposit nanoscale titanium dioxide particles. The surface topography now has both microscale and nanoscale roughness that is needed to have the lotus surface and ultimately the petal surface. The chemical composition and uniformity of selected Flame Sprayed surfaces were investigated utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the morphology of the coating was studied using scanning electron microscopy.