title: Fabrication of biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces inspired by lotus leaf and silver ragwort leaf.
abstract: Inspired by the self-cleaning lotus leaf and silver ragwort leaf, here we demonstrate the fabrication of biomimetic superhydrophobic fibrous mats via electrospinning polystyrene (PS) solution in the presence of silica nanoparticles. The resultant electrospun fiber surfaces exhibited a fascinating structure with the combination of nano-protrusions and numerous grooves due to the rapid phase separation in electrospinning. The content of silica nanoparticles incorporated into the fibers proved to be the key factor affecting the fiber surface morphology and hydrophobicity. The PS fibrous mats containing 14.3 wt% silica nanoparticles showed a stable superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle as high as 157.2°, exceeding that (147°) of the silver ragwort leaf and approaching that (160°) of the lotus leaf. The superhydrophobicity was explained by the hierarchical surfaces increasing the surface roughness which trapped more air under the water droplets that fell on the fibers.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
authors.forename: Jinyou
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xianfeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Jianyong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Moran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D000070116:Lotus / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012674:Senecio / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances