Bioinspired micro-/nanostructure fibers with a water collecting property

Abstract

We review the recent research on structure-induced water collecting properties of spider silk and bioinspired fibers. Since the capture silks of cribellate spiders have a unique wet-rebuilt structure with spindle-knots and joints for directional water collection, we were inspired to fabricate a series of artificial gradient micro-/nanostructure fibers. These fibers display excellent functions, such as driving tiny water drops in certain directions, water capturing, multi-gradient cooperation effect, and wet-response to environmental humidity. This review is helpful to the design of novel smart functional materials that can be extended to develop devices or systems for water collection, sensors, fluid-control, filters and others.