Synergistic Integration of Superhydrophobic and Lubricant-Infused Surface for Enhanced Liquid Repellency

We present a novel dual-functional surface design that strategically integrates superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused surface technologies to achieve switchable liquid repellency with significantly enhanced durability and self-healing capabilities. By precisely controlling the amount of silicone oil infused─quantified as surface loading─into laser-induced graphene structures on polyimide substrates, we demonstrate a controlled transition between superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused states. This hybrid approach effectively addresses the critical challenges of both technologies: the mechanical vulnerability of superhydrophobic surfaces and lubricant depletion issues in lubricant-infused surfaces. Our systematic investigation reveals an optimal silicone oil loading that maintains excellent water repellency even after substantial surface damage, evidenced by high contact angles and low sliding angles across damaged regions of up to 2 mm in width. The self-healing mechanism provided by the strategic lubricant layer preserves liquid-repellent properties after physical damage, significantly outperforming conventional superhydrophobic surfaces in durability tests. Experimental results using candle-soot-treated surfaces further confirm the superior damage resistance of our hybrid design. This work provides new insights into liquid-repellent surface engineering with potential applications in self-cleaning coatings, anti-icing surfaces, oil-water separation, and microfluidic devices that require sustained performance in harsh environments.