Influence of dealloying on wetting behavior and adhesion properties of Cu-Zr-Al-Ag glassy ribbons

Abstract This research aims to clarify the correlation between dealloying conditions, surface chemistry, and wettability behavior in Cu-based metallic glassy ribbons. Investigating the influence of dealloying on the wettability of Cubased glassy ribbons is the focus of this study. Glassy ribbons composed of the Cu-Zr-Al(-Ag) alloy family were dealloyed in hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution, with molarities ranging from 0.01 M to 0.5 M for durations between 2 and 10 minutes, followed by a thorough cleaning in distilled water. The impact of dealloying parameters on water droplet adhesion was evaluated together with the droplets’ ability to resist detachment after mechanical disturbances. Such insights are pivotal for the development of novel superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic materials, which could find applications in diverse fields such as microfluidics and oil-water separation technologies. The research demonstrates the substantial effects of dealloying on Cu-Zr-Al(-Ag) glassy ribbons, showing significant alterations in surface morphology, elemental composition, and wettability, all influenced by dealloying conditions