The tilted-nanohair arrays (TNAs) and tilted-Janusian-nanohair arrays (TJNAs) with the structural and chemical asymmetries are fabricated using a facile two-step process combining Faraday-cage-assisted plasma nanotexturing and plasma polymerization. The directional liquid transport (DLT) against the tilt direction of nanohair and in the reverse direction is achieved on TNAs and TJNAs, respectively. A two-dimension model involving the asymmetric geometry of tilted nanohairs and the related imbibition priority of water meniscus in the inter-nanohair spaces is presented to predict the preferential direction of liquid spreading. Channels with TNAs and TJNAs can be fabricated for exquisite flow control in diverse functional fluidic devices.

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Yupeng Li, Lei Huo, Mingkai Lei, and A. Lakhtakia, "Directional liquid transport on tilted and Janusian nanohairs by plasma nanotexturing (Conference Presentation)," Proc. SPIE PC12490, Surface Engineering and Forensics, PC1249004 (Presented at SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation: March 15, 2023; Published: 8 June 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2658186.6323952980112.