Rich CuO Nanowires Fabrication via Laser Post-Treatment of Laser-Textured Copper Substrate

The superhydrophobic and anti-icing properties of copper-based materials have been widely concerned. Laser texturing followed by thermal oxidation is a method to prepare durable CuO nanowires on Cu substrate. Rich CuO nanowires on micro-structures are required to meet its applications for anti-icing based on sustaining better Cassie–Baxter state stability. In this paper, dense CuO nanowires are obtained by additional laser post-treatment between the laser texturing and thermal oxidation. Uniform Cu2O and CuO layers form on the micro-structures by the laser post-treatment, which serves as the precursors for the growth of nanowires. The density of CuO nanowire increases from 44.3% to 61.4%, resulting in excellent superhydrophobicity and anti-icing performance. The delayed freezing time increases from 17 s to 1519 s at the temperature of −10 °C, which is more than 80 times longer compared to pure Cu substrate. The resulting anti-icing property shows durability through icing–melting cycles and taping tests. This feasible method opens new possibilities for enhanced anti-icing property on copper-based equipment used in low-temperature environments.