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Bio-Inspired Polymeric Structures with Special Wettability and Their Applications: An Overview
Zihe Pan1,2,3,4, Fangqin Cheng5,6, Boxin Zhao7,8
1Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanxi University, 92 Wucheng Road, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China. panzh@sxu.edu.cn.
Polymers
|April 11, 2019
Summary
Humans create advanced bio-inspired materials by mimicking nature. This review covers recent progress in polymeric superhydrophilic, superhydrophobic, and superoleophobic materials, detailing structures, chemistry, and applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Bio-inspired materials leverage natural designs for advanced functionalities.
- Significant advancements in polymeric superhydrophilic, superhydrophobic, and superoleophobic materials have emerged.
- Mimicking natural structures is key to achieving desired surface wettability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest developments in bio-inspired polymeric materials with tunable wettability.
- To explore the role of surface chemistry and structure in achieving specific wettability properties.
- To discuss polymers, structures, techniques, and applications of these advanced materials.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing literature on bio-inspired material development.
- Analyzing the relationship between surface chemistry/structure and wettability.
- Compiling information on polymers, fabrication techniques, and applications.
Main Results:
- Detailed exploration of bio-inspired structures mimicking natural examples (lotus leaf, rose petals, insect wings/shells).
- In-depth analysis of how surface chemistry and topography dictate superhydrophilicity, superhydrophobicity, and superoleophobicity.
- Discussion of common polymers, structural motifs, and fabrication methods.
Conclusions:
- Bio-inspired polymeric materials offer tunable wettability by mimicking natural designs.
- Surface chemistry and structural engineering are critical for achieving desired superhydrophilic, superhydrophobic, and superoleophobic properties.
- These materials have diverse and expanding applications in various human activities.
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