Bioinspired fabrication of mechanically durable superhydrophobic materials with abrasion-enhanced properties

Abstract

A novel mechanically durable superhydrophobic material is prepared by a facile method from kaolin. The mechanically durable superhydrophobicity is obtained by mimicking the lotus leaf's ability of self-repairing micro-structures and regenerating hydrophobic wax layer. The superhydrophobic property is evaluated by the water contact angle and sliding angle. The mechanical durability is examined by an abrasion test. The superhydrophobicity of the as-prepared material not only is mechanically durable but also can be enhanced by the surface abrasion. The as-prepared superhydrophobic material showed stability in many rigorous environments. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the geometric micro- and nano-structures distributed through the whole material thickness are responsible for this wearable superhydrophobicity.