Biomimicked high-aspect-ratio hierarchical superhydrophobic polymer surfaces. Issue 1 (1st March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Chandra S.; Mattaparthi, Srinadh
• Is Part Of: Bioinspired, biomimetic and nanobiomaterials. Volume 3:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2014-03-01
• Subjects: polymer; -- hydrophobic; -- microfabrication; -- biomimicry; -- hierarchical; Biomimetic materials -- Periodicals; Nanobiotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 660.605
• DOI: 10.1680/bbn.13.00015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-9858

Abstract

Abstract : There is an abundance of plant surfaces in nature, which inspires scientific community to replicate and prepare artificial superhydrophobic surfaces. However, most of these studies are limited to low-aspect-ratio structures as found in petals and leaves. In this study, the authors chose Canna indica, a garden plant belonging to Cannaceae family, as a model plant. The C. indica seedpods possess high-aspect-ratio multiscale structures and also show superhydrophobic behavior. These high-aspect-ratio hierarchical structures as found in C. Indica seedpod were then successfully replicated by replica molding in different polymers such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF)-based xerogel. These biomimicked polymer surfaces exhibit superhydrophobicity as confirmed by water contact angle measurement. The original seedpod shows water contact angle of 151°, while negative PDMS and RF gel replica with high-aspect-ratio structural patterns show water contact angle of 146 and 155°, respectively. Thus, the biomimetic approach depicted here not only allows the facile fabrication of high-aspect-ratio structures over a large area but also provides a low-cost alternative to produce superhydrophobic polymer surfaces.