Anisotropic wetting of copper alloys induced by one-step laser micro-patterning

Copper alloys (CuSn8, CuZn23Al3Co) have been micro-patterned with line-like geometries by Laser Interference Surface Structuring (LISS). In the presented study two high power pulsed laser beams are recombined to create unique, line-like intensity distributions with a chosen, constant periodicity of 10 μm at varying laser fluencies. Anisotropic wetting properties on these surfaces have been confirmed by drop shape analysis and static contact angle measurements, which were conducted parallel and perpendicular to the structures revealing up to 25% difference in contact angle. The topography and chemistry of the tailored line structures have been characterized and analyzed by white light interferometry, spatial frequency distribution, AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The topographic shape and homogeneity are considered as key parameters for anisotropic wetting design, although it is concluded that both, the geometry as well as the locally varying chemical composition of the surface structures contribute to the phenomenon. Parallel capillarity effects and perpendicular contact line pinning are found to be the governing mechanisms.