Issue 22, 2011

Multi-level micro-/nanostructures of butterfly wings adapt at low temperature to water repellency

Abstract

We show that micro-/nanostructure effects achieve water repellency of Morpho nestira butterfly wings under low temperature and changeable relative humidity. It is found that the multi-level micro-/nanostructures on wing scales effectively retard low-temperature-induced wetting, and achieve water repellency, accompanied with low adhesion under environmental humidity conditions. The mechanism of the extended water repellency is elucidated based on the micro-/nanostructure effect that can be adapted to low temperature and relative humidity. This finding offers an insight into micro-/nanostructures of butterfly wings, which helps to design novel interface materials to be applied in anti-frosting, anti-fogging and anti-icing projects.

Graphical abstract: Multi-level micro-/nanostructures of butterfly wings adapt at low temperature to water repellency

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
17 Jul 2011
Accepted
24 Aug 2011
First published
14 Sep 2011

Soft Matter, 2011,7, 10569-10573

Multi-level micro-/nanostructures of butterfly wings adapt at low temperature to water repellency

H. Mei, D. Luo, P. Guo, C. Song, C. Liu, Y. Zheng and L. Jiang, Soft Matter, 2011, 7, 10569 DOI: 10.1039/C1SM06347B

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