Surface functionalization of Zr-based metallic glass by direct nanosecond laser texturing

Abstract The functional properties of metallic glasses (MGs) can be enhanced by introducing special micro/nano-structures on their surface. In this study, a nanosecond pulsed laser was used to texture micro-convex array structures with different pitches (P) on a Zr-based MG surface to enrich its engineering applications. The reflection characteristics and wettability of polished and textured surfaces were compared. The experimental results showed that unlike the bright spot reflected from the polished surface, the light reflected from the textured surface would induce a well-defined diffraction pattern. In addition, the wettability of the surfaces covered with micro-convex array structures was also different from that of the polished surface. That is, without post-processing, the textured array structures would promote hydrophilicity; while after exposing in the air for 100 days or fluoroalkylsilane modification, the textured array structures facilitated hydrophobicity.