Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam
For decades, industry has been using omniphobic, mostly fluorine-based surfaces for dirt-repellent textiles and grease-proof packaging. This functionality is often achieved through PFAS-containing coatings. However, regulations are becoming significantly stricter for environmental and persistence reasons: The EU/ECHA is pursuing far-reaching restrictions, with individual lead compounds such as PFOS (since 2008), PFOA (since 2020), and PFHxS (since 2023) already subject to severe restrictions on their use.
At the same time, oleophobic properties and grease resistance are indispensable in many applications. In addition to chemical functionalization with fluorine compounds, the literature also describes physical processes, in particular micro- and nanostructuring. Based on the lotus effect, hierarchical structures on hydrophobic materials have already been investigated. However, robust industrial implementation has so far failed due to a lack of basic understanding.
The aim of the project is to physically create hierarchically structured micro- and nanostructures on a model substrate and combine them with a fluorine-free chemical treatment. Systematic characterizations, multivariate analyses, and AI methods will be used to elucidate the influences of the individual process steps and, above all, their interactions.
