
Reversible Structure Engineering of Bioinspired Anisotropic Surface for Droplet Recognition and Transportation
Author(s) -
Li Qian,
Li Lijun,
Shi Kui,
Yang Baisong,
Wang Xin,
Shi Zhekun,
Tan Di,
Meng Fandong,
Liu Quan,
Hu Shiqi,
Lei Yifeng,
Liu Sheng,
Xue Longjian
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202001650
Subject(s) - isotropy , anisotropy , materials science , adhesion , surface (topology) , nanotechnology , composite material , optics , geometry , physics , mathematics
Surfaces with tunable liquid adhesion have aroused great attention in past years. However, it remains challenging to endow a surface with the capability of droplet recognition and transportation. Here, a bioinspired surface, termed as TMAS, is presented that is inspired by isotropic lotus leaves and anisotropic butterfly wings. The surface is prepared by simply growing a triangular micropillar array on the pre‐stretched thin poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film. The regulation of mechanical stress in the PDMS film allows the fine tuning of structural parameters of the micropillar array reversibly, which results in the instantaneous, in situ switching between isotropic and various degrees of anisotropic droplet adhesions, and between strong adhesion and directional sliding of water droplets. TMAS can thus be used for robust droplet transportation and recognition of acids, bases, and their pH strengths. The results here could inspire the design of robust sensor techniques.