title: Biomimetic Water-Collecting Fabric with Light-Induced Superhydrophilic Bumps.
abstract: To develop an efficient water-collecting surface that integrates both fast water-capturing and easy drainage properties is of high current interest for addressing global water issues. In this work, a superhydrophobic surface was fabricated on cotton fabric via manipulation of both the surface roughness and surface energy. This was followed by a subsequent spray coating of TiO2 nanosol that created light-induced superhydrophilic bumps with a unique raised structure as a result of the interfacial tension of the TiO2 nanosol sprayed on the superhydrophobic fiber surface. These raised TiO2 bumps induce both a wettability gradient and a shape gradient, synergistically accelerating water coalescence and water collection. The in-depth study revealed that the quantity and the distribution of the TiO2 had a significant impact on the final water collection efficiency. This inexpensive and facilely fabricated fabric biomimicks the desert beetle's back and spider silk, which are capable of fog harvesting without additional energy consumption.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: Yuanfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: Xiaowen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: Chuilin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: Huawen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: Yeeyee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Xin
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008027:Light; D013499:Surface Properties; D013784:Textiles; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D014867:Water; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Laplace pressure gradient; biomimetic water collection; light-induced superhydrophilic; raised structure; wettability gradient