Characterisation of surface wettability based on nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles are becoming frequently used in the research area of creating functional surfaces because they can be more versatile than just making dimensions smaller. Particularly, a variety of nanoparticles have been applied for the construction of superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces with micro- and nano-scaled structures. As nanoparticles can also be fashioned and modified, their effects will be of great importance to the formed surface structures. In the present paper, we review the recent research progress in the utilization of nanoparticles to form extremely wettable/non-wettable surface structures and their influence on surface wettability. This report manifests an apparent inclination of nanoparticle structured surfaces using the multidisciplinary approaches, from the viewpoint of engineer/scientist. Therefore, the typical methodologies with regard to the use of nanoparticles, including the preparation and functionalisation processes, for the realization of surface wettabilities are discussed in this work. The discussions also represent some of the size-determined phenomena that are related to wettable/non-wettable surfaces. This Review thus provides an insight into the connection between nanoparticles and surface wettability. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012