Biomimetic Water-Collecting Fabric with Light-Induced Superhydrophilic Bumps

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• 作者：Yuanfeng Wang ; Xiaowen Wang ; Chuilin Lai ; Huawen Hu ; Yeeyee Kong ; Bin Fei ; John H. Xin
• 刊名：ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：February 10, 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：8
• 期：5
• 页码：2950-2960
• 全文大小：825K
• ISSN：1944-8252

文摘

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.