Wettability of polyethylene micropatterns with aligned one-dimensional nanostructures

To analyze the influence of one-dimensional nanostructures on the wettabilities of polymer micropatterned surfaces, water contact angles of polyethylene micropatterned surfaces with aligned nanofibers and nanotubes were examined systematically. The results indicate that polyethylene micropatterned surfaces with aligned nanofibers and nanotubes exhibit hydrophobicity with the water contact angle ranging from 136 to 161. Aligned nanotubes micropatterns with either honeycomb-like or labyrinth-like topographies exhibit higher hydrophobicity than those with aligned nanofibers when the topographies are similar. Results also indicate honeycomb-like micropatterns show higher hydrophobicities than the labyrinth-like micropatterns composed of the same one-dimensional nanostructures.