External Stimuli Responsive Liquid-Infused Surfaces Switching between Slippery and Nonslippery States: Fabrications and Applications

Abstract

Surfaces with controllable liquid wettability and related functions have gained increasing attention from interfacial scientists due to the high demand of fundamental research and practical applications. Inspired by pitch plant's excellent liquid repellency, external stimuli responsive lubricant-infused surfaces switching between slippery state and nonslippery state under external stimuli (E-LIS) have been developed by introducing external stimuli responsive materials as substrates, lubricants, or repellent liquids. This progress report is focused on recent development of E-LIS. First, design strategy and fabrication of E-LIS upon external stimuli exposure, including stress, electrical field, magnetic field, and temperature, is summarized. Then, emerging interfacial applications of E-LIS, such as microreactors, pipetting devices, fog collection devices, and so on, are highlighted. In addition, remaining challenges and future prospects are provided.