Non-Adhesive SLIPS-Like Surfaces: Fabrication and Applications

The interaction with the ubiquitous liquid state is inevitable in our day-to-day life. However, the presence of a liquid state can create an adverse effect on many practical applications or situations. Biofilm formation, surface biofouling, formation of ice onto airplane wings, etc., are a few to mention wherein mitigation of the liquid droplet adhesion onto the surface is necessary. Owing to the increasing demand for such surfaces in diverse areas, much research has been carried out in the last two decades to fabricate surfaces that repel water completely (self-cleaning superhydrophobic surfaces) or non-adhesive porous liquid-infused slippery surfaces. Despite the increasing success in fabricating such surfaces due to the advancement of micro-nano fabrication techniques, the stability, large-scale production and toxicity of chemicals involved are a matter of serious concern. An omniphobic surface that could be prepared by grafting or coating highly mobile non-toxic polymer brushes is being currently explored. This chapter illustrates the advances made in the fabrication of such surfaces with an adequate theoretical background for surface fabrication and its practical applications.