Simple Fabrication of Robust Water‐Repellent Surfaces with Low Contact‐Angle Hysteresis Based on Impregnation

A simple method to fabricate water-repellent low-hysteresis surfaces on various substrate materials based on impregnation with silicone oil is demonstrated. The thickness of the lubrication film has negligible influence on the roll-off velocity which is determined by the film viscosity. As possible application thermocapillary transport of water droplets along such surfaces is shown. Corresponding experiments indicate that it is the motion relative to the lubricating film and not the film motion itself that dominates droplet transport.