One Step and In Situ Synthesis of Edible Lubricant-infused Surface Using All-in-one Solution

Abstract

Edible Lubricant-Infused Surface (ELIS) was fabricated through antisolvent method by adding ethyl oleate (lubricant/antisolvent), ethanol (solvent) and shellac (solute/base layer of ELIS) into an all-in-one solution to in-situ prepare ELIS through single step of solvent evaporation. The ELIS comprising sub-micro- to micro-scaled shellac particles shows water and food liquid slippery, transparency, stability against abrasion and lubricant retaining ability against sheer force. Using all edible material to fabricated ELIS is a more efficient route for application when compared with other Lubricant-Infused Surface (LIS). Traditional fabrication for LIS included steps such as: base layer fabrication, lubricant infusion, excess lubricant removal, UV light treatment and chemical etching. The method proposed in this article could further simplify the preparation to an all-in-one solution and simplify the synthesis process to only 60-degree heating. Furthermore, Shellac ELIS coating could withstand abrasion and hold performance when compared with other ELIS coatings.