Bioinspired surfaces with superwettability: new insight on theory, design, and applications

The recent progress of bioinspired surfaces with superwettability is reviewed. Surface wettability is a complex scientific problem involving many parameters on surfaces. Especially some emerging new phenomena of surface supper-wetting bring new challenges to the traditional theory and concept; therefore lots of experimental explorations are needed for practical applications. The mechanical durability of superhydrophobic surfaces remains a great challenge today for their practical applications. The organic and inorganic hybrid may be a possible solution for pure polymeric materials. Because surface wettability plays an important role in printing and reprography, a great number of studies have been focused on the precise control of liquid pattern on solid surfaces with superwettability. On the basis of nanomaterials with superhydrophilic/superoleophilic properties, Song developed a green printing plate-making technology. By tuning the surface energy of the imaging materials and the micro-/nanoscaled structure of the plate substrate, the spreading of the printed microdroplets can be well controlled arising from the surface energy contrast between the ink solution and the plate substrate. (Scopus)