Fabrication of a micro/nanoscaled hierarchical structure surface on brass with anti-icing and self-cleaning properties

The anti-icing property of multifunctional bio-inspired surfaces has attracted extensive attention. Herein, a facile method combining the chemical etching process and hot-water treatment was used to construct a micro/nanoscaled hierarchical structure on a brass substrate. The micro/nanoscaled hierarchical structure surface modified by a low surface energy material exhibited superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 157.50 degrees +/- 2.30 degrees and contact angle hysteresis of 2.71 degrees +/- 2.00 degrees. The anti-icing and self-cleaning properties of the bio-inspired superhydrophobic surface were studied. The freezing delay time of 3657.41 s at -15 degrees C is related to the micro/nanoscaled hierarchical structure and chemical composition of the bio-inspired superhydrophobic surface. Therefore, this investigation advanced a facile method to construct a bio-inspired structure and demonstrated that the superhydrophobic surface displays great potential for practical applications.