Periodic Nanogrooves from an Unlikely Source: Nanosecond Laser Processing on a Budget

Surface nanostructuring holds significant potential for enhancing material properties in various industrial applications, including wettability modification and anti-counterfeiting measures. However, the high costs associated with ultrashort pulse laser systems have limited widespread adoption. In this study, a cost-effective method for fabricating periodic nanogrooves on stainless steel surfaces using a nanosecond fiber laser system priced under 10,000 EUR is presented. Nanogrooves with approximately 1 µm periodicity and depths of 50 to 220 nm were produced under optimized processing conditions, yielding high-quality, uniform structures without defects. The laser-induced nanostructuring significantly enhanced the hydrophobicity of the surfaces, increasing the static contact angle from 74.7° to up to 102.2°, an improvement of about 37%. Additionally, the nanogrooves functioned as diffraction elements for decorative and anti-counterfeiting purposes via image multiplexing. This method demonstrates that functional surface enhancements can be achieved affordably, lowering barriers to industrial adoption and offering a viable alternative for surface nanostructuring across various sectors.