Bioinspired surfaces with superwettability : New insight on theory, design, and applications

The recent progress of bioinspired surfaces with superwettability is reviewed. Surface wettability is a complex scientific problem involving many parameters on surfaces. Especially some emerging new phenomena of surface supper-wetting bring new challenges to the traditional theory and concept; therefore lots of experimental explorations are needed for practical applications. The mechanical durability of superhydrophobic surfaces remains a great challenge today for their practical applications. The organic and inorganic hybrid may be a possible solution for pure polymeric materials. Because surface wettability plays an important role in printing and reprography, a great number of studies have been focused on the precise control of liquid pattern on solid surfaces with superwettability. On the basis of nanomaterials with superhydrophilic/superoleophilic properties, Song developed a green printing plate-making technology. By tuning the surface energy of the imaging materials and the micro-/nanoscaled structure of the plate substrate, the spreading of the printed microdroplets can be well controlled arising from the surface energy contrast between the ink solution and the plate substrate.