Durability improvement strategies for wettable fog harvesting devices inspired by spider silk fibers: a review

Abstract

Water scarcity is a persistent challenge, and in this case, the freshwater content in the air and water collection phenomena observed in nature provide ideas for fog harvesting. The fog-harvesting capabilities of natural spider silk have long attracted attention. Thus, researchers have undertaken significant efforts for the preparation of wettable biomimetic knotted fibers. However, the fragility of their chemical coating and the susceptibility of spun fibers to damage often present substantial challenges in the durability of fog harvesting equipment. Herein, from a bioengineering perspective, we review the improvement strategies for enhancing the mechanical properties of wettable biomimetic spider silk fibers based on the dense nanoconfined hydrogen-bond array crystalline regions and uniformly embedded amorphous regions of natural wettable spider silk fibers. These strategies aim to achieve high tensile strength, good fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance. Additionally, by incorporating UV inhibitors during spinning, the effects of sunlight can be mitigated or shielded, thereby greatly enhancing the mechanical durability of fog-harvesting devices under harsh realistic conditions.