Abstract
The rapid growth and early development period of the dual-scale surface topography was studied on the adaxial leaf surfaces of two aspen tree species with non-wetting leaves: the columnar European aspen (Populus tremula “Erecta”) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Particular attention was focused on the formation of micro- and nano-scale asperities on their cuticles, which was correlated with the development of superhydrophobic wetting behaviour. Measurements of the wetting properties (contact angle and tilt-angle) provided an indication of the degree of hydrophobicity of their cuticles. Scanning electron microscopy and optical profilometry micrographs were used to follow the growth and major morphological changes of micro-scale papillae and nano-scale epicuticular wax (ECW) crystals, which led to a significant improvement in non-wetting behaviour. Both species exhibited syntopism in the form of small and larger nano-scale ECW platelet morphologies. These findings provide additional support for earlier suggestions that due to fluctuations in leaf hydrophobicity throughout the growing season, canopy storage capacity may also vary considerably throughout this time period.
Highlights
Recent research efforts have focused on the characterization and understanding of non-wetting (Contact Angle (CA): 110 ̊ - 150 ̊) and superhydrophobic (CA ≥ 150 ̊) leaf surfaces which repel water droplets, allowing them to remain essentially dry (e.g. [1]-[8])
The cuticle, typically 0.1-10 μm in thickness, is a composite material which is comprised of a biopolyester matrix with embedded intracuticular wax (ICW) lipids and an external layer comprised of protruding nano-scale epicuticular wax (ECW) morphologies which collectively repel water [11] [12]
Columnar European aspen (CEA) leaves were collected at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) in a garden plantation (N43 ̊39.56', W079 ̊23.55') while quaking aspen (QA) leaves came from a forest near Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (N44 ̊12.24', W078 ̊23.23')
Summary
Recent research efforts have focused on the characterization and understanding of non-wetting (Contact Angle (CA): 110 ̊ - 150 ̊) and superhydrophobic (CA ≥ 150 ̊) leaf surfaces which repel water droplets, allowing them to remain essentially dry (e.g. [1]-[8]). Recent research efforts have focused on the characterization and understanding of non-wetting (Contact Angle (CA): 110 ̊ - 150 ̊) and superhydrophobic (CA ≥ 150 ̊) leaf surfaces which repel water droplets, allowing them to remain essentially dry Non-wetting and superhydrophobic leaf surfaces in particular often possess a unique hierarchical surface roughness; a combination of micro-scale papillae and nano-scale ECW morphologies, which act to inhibit wetting. This unique property was first discovered on the Lotus Leaf plant, which has the ability to emerge perfectly dry and clean following immersion in dirt contaminated waters [13] and is termed as “The Lotus Effect” [1]
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