Modification of the copper wettability by nanosecond laser texturing

Abstract Nanosecond laser microstructuring of copper surfaces was performed in this work. The contact angle value immediately after laser treatment decreased sharply and all samples were hydrophilic or superhydrophilic. Hydrophobization of the textured samples occurs as a result of environmental exposure over time. Oxidation and adsorption of carbon and its compounds from the atmosphere leads to a change in the wettability of the irradiated surfaces. The acceleration of hydrophobization process with decrease of fluence was found. It is shown that the stable contact angle, reached after one month, does not depend on the value of the fluence and is about 140°.