Alumina nanowire forests via unconventional anodization and super-repellency plus low adhesion to diverse liquids

Abstract

Multiple facet supported alumina nanowires are produced very efficiently in a very short time via high field anodization; upon modification with perfluorosilane, the surface becomes super-repellent towards a broad range of liquids, which includes (salted) water, water emulsion, common organic liquids like glycerol and alkanes, and a variety of lubrication oils including ionic liquids, poly(alpha-olefin), polydimethylsiloxane oils etc.