| Title |
Low-Voltage-Driven Superhydrophobic Heater Based on a Highly Conductive Mesh with a Hierarchically Roughened Surface |
| Authors |
하성훈(Sung-Hun Ha) ; 김준혁(Jun-Hyeok Kim) ; 김종만(Jong-Man Kim) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.3365/KJMM.2026.64.10.906 |
| ISSN |
1738-8228(ISSN), 2288-8241(eISSN) |
| Keywords |
Conductive fabric heater; Superhydrophobicity; Low-voltage operation; Hierarchical surface roughness |
| Abstract |
In this work, we present a highly conductive and superhydrophobic silver nanowire (AgNW)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated fabric mesh (APFM). The proposed APFM is readily fabricated by sequentially coating a woven fabric mesh with AgNWs followed by a thin PDMS overcoat via a simple, reproducible process. The high-density AgNW percolation network formed on the fabric mesh provides high electrical conductivity, achieving a minimum sheet resistance of 1.2 ± 0.07 Ω sq?¹, while imparting nanoscale roughness to the mesh surface. Combined with the inherent microscale texture of the woven mesh and the low surface energy of the PDMS overlayer, this hierarchical surface morphology renders the APFM superhydrophobic, as evidenced by a high static contact angle of 154 ± 2.2°, a low contact angle hysteresis of 6.1 ± 0.1°, excellent water repellency, and a low sliding angle of <10°. The APFM was successfully implemented as a high-performance electrothermal heater, exhibiting a linear relationship between the applied voltage and the resulting steady-state temperature. Notably, it achieves a maximum average steady-state temperature of ~70.1 °C at an input voltage of only 1.2 V, demonstrating efficient low-voltage operation. Owing to its low operating voltage and robust superhydrophobicity, the APFM heater offers a promising waterproof heating solution for a wide range of practical applications, particularly in humid or wet environments. |