Petal effect: a superhydrophobic state with high adhesive force.
Hierarchical micropapillae and nanofolds are known to exist on the petals' surfaces of red roses. These micro- and nanostructures provide a sufficient roughness for superhydrophobicity and yet at the same time a high adhesive force with water. A water droplet on the surface of the petal appears spherical in shape, which cannot roll off even when the petal is turned upside down. We define this phenomenon as the "petal effect" as compared with the popular "lotus effect". Artificial fabrication of biomimic polymer films, with well-defined nanoembossed structures obtained by duplicating the petal's surface, indicates that the superhydrophobic surface and the adhesive petal are in Cassie impregnating wetting state.
Feng
Lin
L
Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, P. R. China. fl@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn
Zhang
Yanan
Y
Xi
Jinming
J
Zhu
Ying
Y
Wang
Nü
N
Xia
Fan
F
Jiang
Lei
L
D000268:Adhesiveness; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006368:Helianthus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D027762:Lilium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D014867:Water