Magnetically Responsive Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Microdroplet Manipulation
Yanlong Zhan, Sirong Yu, Alidad Amirfazli, Abdul Rahim Siddiqui, Wen Li
Abstract
Abstract Magnetically responsive surfaces have received increasing attention because of their convenience, immediate response, remote controllability, and well biocompatibility. A facile way is designed to prepare magnetically responsive superhydrophobic surfaces by one‐step spray coating coupled with magnetic induction. These surfaces with responsive properties can find applications in liquids manipulation. The influences of different Fe 3 O 4 content on the surface morphology and wettability are investigated. The unidirectional, bidirectional, random‐path, and inclined surfaces microdroplet manipulation in an active, noncontact, and fast manner is demonstrated on the prepared surfaces. The model of microdroplet manipulation is established, and its mechanism is explained. Moreover, manipulation of different volumes and different types of microdroplets including water droplets and normal saline is realized. Such magnetically responsive superhydrophobic surfaces not only provide new approach for low‐loss droplet manipulation and transportation but also develop new ways for the realization of programmable and intelligent microfluidic systems.