Multiscale Surface Patterning of Zirconia by Picosecond Pulsed Laser Irradiation

Abstract

Irradiation of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was performed by a picosecond pulsed laser to investigate the possibility for multiscale surface patterning. Nanoscale laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) were successfully generated inside microscale grooves over a large surface area under specific conditions. A thermally induced phase transformation of YSZ was identified after laser irradiation, and this phase transformation was restrained by reducing the laser power or the number of irradiations. Moreover, it was found that the generation of LIPSS greatly changed the surface wettability of YSZ. These results demonstrated the possibility of creating zirconia hybrid patterns with high functionality, which may expand the applications of YSZ in industry.