Wettability Transition on the Fractal Surface Developed by Size-Selected Ag Nanoclusters

Abstract

Surface morphology and wetting property of silver nanocluster-deposited films have been comprehensively investigated. A gas aggregation-type magnetron sputtering process is used to produce Ag nanoclusters, and the films are prepared by varying the cluster ion currents. The morphological result suggests that the deposited clusters agglomerate over the surface and also the overall size distribution is affected with increasing ion current. The morphological data are used to characterize various statistical parameters of the surface such as the interface width, autocorrelation function, power spectral density function, and fractal dimensions of the films. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study reveals that the produced Ag nanostructures are made of pure metallic silver, and the total atomic concentration of silver on the surface increases with the increase of cluster ion currents. Wettability study of the films reveals that the morphological parameters along with the changing surface chemistry influenced the wetting property of the films. A sudden transition in surface wettability from hydrophilic to hydrophobic is observed for the films measured via water contact angle measurements. The comparison with the theoretical values suggests that the nanostructures produced for higher ion currents follow the Wenzel’s model. Finally, a correlation between the fractal dimension and the water contact angle values has been observed.

Advances in organic adsorption on hydrophilic hierarchical structures for bionic superhydrophobicity: from fundamentals to applications

“…4g). 95 Yadav et al also found that the hydrophobicity increases with the increase in the fractal dimension, 96 and Volkmann et al experimentally and theoretically found that organic adsorption is related to the fractal dimension. 97…”

“…4g). 95 Yadav et al also found that the hydrophobicity increases with the increase in the fractal dimension, 96 and Volkmann et al experimentally and theoretically found that organic adsorption is related to the fractal dimension. 97 In addition, Wang et al summarized ve contact states of droplets on the microstructured surface based on classic wetting states and special wetting phenomena in nature: 98 the Wenzel state, the Cassie state, the 'Lotus' state with a high contact angle and low adhesion (Fig.…”

Development of Pd/In2O3 hybrid nanoclusters to optimize ethanol vapor sensing

“…More importantly, CBD effectively addresses the challenges associated with traditional wet chemical methods, providing a more advanced and precise approach to material synthesis for sensors. 32,[34][35][36] CBD excels at producing materials with high purity and controlled morphology, allowing the synthesis of NCs with tailored shapes and sizes, 37,38 essential for optimizing sensor performance. CBD is particularly suitable for constructing MOS-based gas-sensing materials modified with noble metals.…”