Design and Fabrication of a Tip‐Like ZnO Nanotube Array Structure with Condensate Microdrop Self‐Propelling Function

Abstract Here, we present a type of tip‐like nanotube array with condensate microdrop self‐propelling (CMDSP) function. Based on the basic principle that condensate microdrops can self‐remove via coalescence‐released weak surface energy as long as interface adhesion induced energy dissipation is sufficiently low, we design tip‐like nanotubes with extremely low solid–liquid interface adhesion. To verify the feasibility of this idea, we propose a strategy of preferential etching of six corners and the interior of ZnO nanopencils to achieve tip‐like nanotubes. Our studies demonstrate that this nanostructure can be achieved by immersing ZnO nanopencils in 0.006 m HCl aqueous solution at 80 °C for 3 h. After silane modification, the resulting nanostructure shows CMDSP function. This work offers a new avenue for developing CMDSP functional films, which can find a variety of technological applications such as moisture self‐cleaning, antifrosting and enhancing heat transfer.