1 Department of Physics, American University of
Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, UAE
* Corresponding author:{aalnaser@aus.edu}
Abstract: We analyze the role of the processing atmosphere and
influence of long term ageing (up to 30 days) in ambient air on the
wettability of the laser-processed stainless steel meshes. The effect of
low-pressure and vacuum ageing transform the initial superhydrophilic
characteristics of freshly laser structured mesh to near
superhydrophobic state. Laser texturing of meshes was carried out in the
presence of different gas environmental conditions: N2,
O2, CO2, Ar, SF6,
ambient atmospheric air and under different vacuum conditions. The
influence of each gas on the time evolution of the wettability
properties after ageing in ambient air is analyzed.