ABSTRACT
Double roughness structure, the origin of the lotus effect of natural lotus leaf, was successfully reproduced on a diarylethene microcrystalline surface. Static superwater-repellency and dynamic water-drop-bouncing were observed on the surface, in the manner of natural lotus leaves. Double roughness structure was essential for water-drop-bouncing. This ability was not observed on a single roughness microcrystalline surface showing the lotus effect of the same diarylethene derivative. The double roughness structure was reversibly controlled by alternating irradiation with UV and visible light.
Subject(s)
Fractals , Lotus/anatomy & histology , Plant Leaves/anatomy & histology , Biomimetic Materials/chemistry , Crystallization , Light , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Molecular Structure , Nanostructures/chemistry , Pressure , Surface Properties , Ultraviolet Rays , Water/chemistry , WettabilityABSTRACT
In the present study, mechanical phenomena on fractal agar gel were analyzed to understand the interfacial properties of hydrophilic biosurfaces. The evaluation of adhesion strength between the fractal agar gel surfaces showed that the fractal structure inhibits the adhesion between the agar gel surfaces. In addition, when the disintegration behavior of an agar gel block was observed between fractal agar gel substrates, the rough structure prevented the sliding of an agar gel block. These findings are useful for understanding the biological significance of rough structure on the biological surfaces.