Abstract
The multi-scale microstructure of a lotus leaf is rendered non-wetting by micro-protrusionsand nano-hairs present on its surface. The mechanical properties of the surface becomeimportant since the water droplet has to be supported on the micro-protrusions withoutwetting the surface. Current work correlates the non-wetting behavior of the lotus leaf withits mechanical properties (Young’s modulus and critical flexing stress) and areal spread ofmicro-protrusions on the leaf surface. Quasistatic nanoindentation of nano-hairson the lotus leaf surface has shown a variation of elastic modulus between 359and 870 MPa, which in turn dictates the critical flexing strength and consequentnon-wetting. Computational fluid dynamics modeling is utilized to correlate wettingphenomena with the areal spread of micro-protrusions. A qualitative model isproposed for the way nature has chosen to render the lotus leaf surface non-wetting.
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