Integration of laser texturing and PDMS coating for tailoring surface energy and hydrophobicity

A stable hydrophobic surface is essential for applications such as biomedical instruments and anti-corrosion tools. This study introduces a practical two-step method to generate hydrophobic surfaces on high-chromium hardened stainless steel using laser texturing followed by a protective coating. A femtosecond laser was employed to create five distinct surface texture patterns, and the surface morphology and hydrophobicity were analyzed before and after coating. The results indicated that laser texturing alone enhanced hydrophobicity but was insufficient for achieving a superhydrophobic state. Applying an ultra-high crosslinked PDMS coating further increased hydrophobicity, raising the contact angle to 149.62° and lowering the surface energy to 1.7 mJ/m². EDX analysis was conducted to investigate the elements contributing to the water repellency. Long-term monitoring of hydrophobic stability revealed degradation of surface energy and contact angle for different laser patterns over time. The findings highlight the potential of combining laser structuring with advanced coatings to achieve durable quasi-superhydrophobic surfaces.