| dc.description.abstract | Superhydrophobic materials refer to those which show extreme water repellence, allowing water to bead up on the surface, easily roll off and bounce. Through their inherent hydrophobicity and rough nano/micro-structures desirable properties such as drag reduction, anti-fouling, and anti-icing can be achieved. Owing to this, the design of superhydrophobic materials has attracted much attention in recent years. Within the scientific literature, numerous fabrication methods have been shown to produce these non-wetting materials and exhibit the impressive properties that make superhydrophobicity advantageous in a variety of applications and fields, an overview of which will be discussed in Chapter 1. This thesis details the design and fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces through a variety of methods and demonstrates their potential in a range of real-life applications. By following a systematic approach, the effects of material design could be evaluated allowing the surfaces within to be engineered to achieve optimal properties. Firstly, in Chapter 2, a superhydrophobic filter was developed for the separation of oil-water mixtures. Through control of porosity and polymer coating thickness, simple and easy-to-produce devices could be manufactured capable of separating varying densities of oils and overcoming limitations of traditional separation techniques. Following this, the fabrication of further porous materials intended for underwater applications was explored (Chapter 3). In Chapter 4 an investigation into the anti-fouling performance of superhydrophobic materials was conducted. Highly ordered materials were subjected to bacterial testing to assess the effects of surface features on adhesion. Through systematic design, an increased understanding of the complex relationship of properties that attribute to the antibacterial effect was gained and materials capable of reducing bacterial adhesion without the need for biocidal substances were produced. Finally, the thesis details the optimization of coatings using natural and food-grade materials for use in food packaging. Through superhydrophobic coatings, the potential to replace plastic containers and reduce the associated environmental impact can be achieved (Chapter 5). | en_US |
