Multifunctional Femtosecond Laser Micro/nanostructuring of the Surface of a Magnesium Alloy

The femtosecond laser, as an oncoming and promising laser technology, can easily produce diverse surface micro/nanostructures on materials and thereby generate multifunction surfaces. We describe how AZ31B magnesium alloy was treated with femtosecond laser by manipulating three parameters (laser power, scanning speed and defocusing amount) to produce four micro/nanostructures: femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures (FLIPSS); granular structures; hole structures; and groove structures. The micro/nanostructures evolve with the change of process parameters. Anti-reflection testing indicates that groove, holes and granular structures all exhibit satisfying anti-reflectance property. Wettability experiments revealed that water contact angle of three micro/nanostructures (FLIPSS, holes and granular structures) uniformly are above 130 degrees.