Spreading Behavior of Oil on Hierarchical Microstructured PET Surfaces Fabricated Using Hot‐Embossing Combined with Laser‐Based Methods

In this study, the wetting behavior of microstructured polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foils for polar and nonpolar liquids produced by plate-to-plate hot embossing is investigated. For step, stainless steel plates are used as stamps, which with single-scaled hierarchical textures using direct laser writing two-beam interference patterning. The imprinted microstructures, containing pillar- line-like textures, show increased water contact angles combined a superoleophilic behavior. Time-resolved measurements reveal that oil droplets spread rapidly on velocities up to 1.4 mm2 s−1. This functionalization PET creates new opportunities wide range industrial applications, such use oil-based instead solvent-based paints, an improved distribution lubricants in mechanical components or oil–water separation maritime surroundings.