Facile preparation of robust superhydrophobic ceramic surfaces with mechanical stability, durability, and self-cleaning function

Superhydrophobic surfaces have aroused considerable attention because of their extensive potential applications, but such surfaces are mechanically weak which is a major limitation hindering their practical applications. Herein, we develop a facile strategy for fabricating robust superhydrophobic surfaces on zirconia ceramic substrates. The robust micro/nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces are obtained via the direct ablation using a femtosecond laser without extra chemical modification. The experimental results demonstrate that the superhydrophobicity results from the special micro/nanostructures and the adsorbed chemical compounds from the air. Notably, these surfaces can retain their superhydrophobicity after being rubbed with an 800# grit sandpaper for 8 m at a contact pressure of 4.4 kPa, indicating superior mechanical stability. Moreover, the durability and self-cleaning functions of the obtained surfaces are also demonstrated. We envision that this work not only provides a facile and environmentally friendly approach for constructing robust superhydrophobic surfaces with excellent mechanical stability, but also inspires new applications of zirconia ceramics, especially in various extreme environments.