Reversible electrowetting of vertically aligned superhydrophobic carbon nanofibers

Manjeet S. Dhindsa, Neil R. Smith, Jason Heikenfeld, Philip D. Rack, Jason D. Fowlkes, Mitchel J. Doktycz, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reversible electrostatically induced wetting (electrowetting) of vertically aligned superhydrophobic carbon nanofibers has been investigated. Carbon nanofibers on a 5 × 5 μm pitch were grown on Si substrates, electrically insulated with a conformal dielectric, and hydrophobized with fluoropolymer. This nanostructured scaffold exhibited superhydrophobic behavior for saline (θ ≈ 160°). Electrowetting induced a contact angle reduction to θ ≈ 100°. Competitive two-liquid (dodecane/saline) electrowetting exhibited reversibility on the same nanostructured scaffold. Without applied bias, ultra-fine-point tip (∼25 nm radius) nanofibers result in effectively zero capacitance with the overlying saline layer. Complete electrowetting of the substrate is confirmed as capacitance values increase by several orders of magnitude with increased wetting. These results demonstrate the applicability of reversible electrowetting on nanostructured scaffolds and use of nanofabricated structures that can be integrated with various micro- and nanoelectronic technologies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9030-9034
Number of pages5
JournalLangmuir
Volume22
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2006

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and BioengineeringR01EB000657

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