Fabrication of biomimetic robust self-cleaning superhydrophobic wood with canna-leaf-like micro/nanostructure through morph-genetic method improved water-, UV-, and corrosion resistance properties

Abstract

Morphology of the canna-leaf-like micro-nanostructures was prepared by the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) template secondary transfer replica technology on the surface of ash timber loaded with PVB/SiO2 coating inspired by the canna-leaf. The morphology, structure, chemical components, element variation and thermally stable property of the as-prepared biomimetic morphologies superhydrophobic wood (BMSW) was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) thermogravimetric/differential thermogravimetric (TG–DTG). Results show that the micro/nano-biomimetic structures were successfully replicated on wood surfaces. By contrast, as-prepared BMSW not only exhibited self-cleaning superhydrophobic performance with a water contact angle (WCA) of 155° and the surface exhibits excellent self-cleaning ability with sliding angle of 6°, but also possess thermally stable properties, which outperforming original wood timber. In addition, as-prepared BMSW samples exhibited stable superhydrophobicity even after being immersed in various pH for 1 h, indicating the excellent anti-corrosion property of the as-prepared BMSW samples surface. Besides the superhydrophobic robust performance of the as-prepared BMSW samples under sand abrasion tests, but the contact angles lower than the as-prepared BMSW samples. Meanwhile, the as-prepared BMSW samples also presented superior water-resistant, UV resistant, and high-temperature-humidity-resistant properties.