Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf
Lotus leaves have become an icon for superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning surfaces, and have led to the concept of the ‘Lotus effect’. Although many other plants have superhydrophobic surfaces with almost similar contact angles, the lotus shows better stability and perfection of its water repellenc...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Beilstein-Institut
2011-03-01
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| Series: | Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.2.19 |
| _version_ | 1819013480421785600 |
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| author | Hans J. Ensikat Petra Ditsche-Kuru Christoph Neinhuis Wilhelm Barthlott |
| author_facet | Hans J. Ensikat Petra Ditsche-Kuru Christoph Neinhuis Wilhelm Barthlott |
| author_sort | Hans J. Ensikat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lotus leaves have become an icon for superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning surfaces, and have led to the concept of the ‘Lotus effect’. Although many other plants have superhydrophobic surfaces with almost similar contact angles, the lotus shows better stability and perfection of its water repellency. Here, we compare the relevant properties such as the micro- and nano-structure, the chemical composition of the waxes and the mechanical properties of lotus with its competitors. It soon becomes obvious that the upper epidermis of the lotus leaf has developed some unrivaled optimizations. The extraordinary shape and the density of the papillae are the basis for the extremely reduced contact area between surface and water drops. The exceptional dense layer of very small epicuticular wax tubules is a result of their unique chemical composition. The mechanical robustness of the papillae and the wax tubules reduce damage and are the basis for the perfection and durability of the water repellency. A reason for the optimization, particularly of the upper side of the lotus leaf, can be deduced from the fact that the stomata are located in the upper epidermis. Here, the impact of rain and contamination is higher than on the lower epidermis. The lotus plant has successfully developed an excellent protection for this delicate epistomatic surface of its leaves. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T02:00:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf1b7968f7c5486e8620e765c65c9b55 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2190-4286 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T02:00:37Z |
| publishDate | 2011-03-01 |
| publisher | Beilstein-Institut |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf1b7968f7c5486e8620e765c65c9b552022-12-21T19:19:39ZengBeilstein-InstitutBeilstein Journal of Nanotechnology2190-42862011-03-012115216110.3762/bjnano.2.192190-4286-2-19Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leafHans J. Ensikat0Petra Ditsche-Kuru1Christoph Neinhuis2Wilhelm Barthlott3Nees Institute, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, GermanyNees Institute, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, GermanyInstitut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01069 Dresden, GermanyNees Institute, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, GermanyLotus leaves have become an icon for superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning surfaces, and have led to the concept of the ‘Lotus effect’. Although many other plants have superhydrophobic surfaces with almost similar contact angles, the lotus shows better stability and perfection of its water repellency. Here, we compare the relevant properties such as the micro- and nano-structure, the chemical composition of the waxes and the mechanical properties of lotus with its competitors. It soon becomes obvious that the upper epidermis of the lotus leaf has developed some unrivaled optimizations. The extraordinary shape and the density of the papillae are the basis for the extremely reduced contact area between surface and water drops. The exceptional dense layer of very small epicuticular wax tubules is a result of their unique chemical composition. The mechanical robustness of the papillae and the wax tubules reduce damage and are the basis for the perfection and durability of the water repellency. A reason for the optimization, particularly of the upper side of the lotus leaf, can be deduced from the fact that the stomata are located in the upper epidermis. Here, the impact of rain and contamination is higher than on the lower epidermis. The lotus plant has successfully developed an excellent protection for this delicate epistomatic surface of its leaves.https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.2.19epicuticular waxleaf surfaceLotus effectpapillaewater repellency |
| spellingShingle | Hans J. Ensikat Petra Ditsche-Kuru Christoph Neinhuis Wilhelm Barthlott Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology epicuticular wax leaf surface Lotus effect papillae water repellency |
| title | Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf |
| title_full | Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf |
| title_fullStr | Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf |
| title_full_unstemmed | Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf |
| title_short | Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf |
| title_sort | superhydrophobicity in perfection the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf |
| topic | epicuticular wax leaf surface Lotus effect papillae water repellency |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.2.19 |
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