Racing for the Surface by Bingyun Li & Thomas Fintan Moriarty & Thomas Webster & Malcolm Xing

Author:Bingyun Li & Thomas Fintan Moriarty & Thomas Webster & Malcolm Xing
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030344757
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

The antifouling effect of superhydrophobic surfaces is based on air traps between the surface structure and bacterial cell membrane. The hierarchical nanofeatures on microstructures, which enable retaining the trapped air under water, have a critical role in fluid drag reduction and biofouling prevention [67]. Cassie–Baxter model suggests that the air layer captured under the droplet serves as another substrate in the system, leading to reduced surface tension of solid and vapor [70]. A heterogeneous surface composed of air and solid results in meager adhesive force between water and the solid surface, which induces “self-cleaning, antifouling effect.”

In addition to the plenty of superhydrophobic plant leaves, animal skin also present great antifouling property. Sharkskin is one of the representative examples to demonstrate excellent antifouling efficacy against bacteria, algae, and barnacles. The superior antifouling performance of sharkskin originates from a combination of a unique surface structure composed of micrometer-scale riblets and dermal denticles. In conjunction with the unique surface patterns, superior mechanical flexibility and mucous surface layers of sharkskin significantly reduce friction drag and increase aerodynamics in water [59]. Many research efforts have been devoted to designing a new type of surface to attack bacteria with the sharkskin-mimicking, patterned diamond-like surface texture [71]. We will discuss the engineering approaches developed to mimic natural structure in the next section “Nature-Inspired, Nanostructured Surface Development for Antibacterial Properties” in more detail.

Other interesting natural surfaces that present antifouling effect can be found from a variety of insects living in an extreme environment like dusty soil and damp tropical jungle. Wings of butterflies, moths, alderflies, antlions, fishflies, dobsonflies, or snakeflies presented excellent antifouling properties, which were demonstrated by testing the efficiency to remove particles of different sizes with water droplets during fogging. It was reported that only less than 5% particles, initially applied to the surfaces, remain on the Lepidoptera and Planipennia wings [61]. Moreover, Lepidoptera wings have hierarchical microgrooves on an array of shingle-like structures, which is useful to create engineering surfaces by obtaining a replica of the surface for enhanced antifouling properties [72, 73]. Truly, insects have inspired many researchers to develop marvelous surface structure using advanced nanotechnology toward antifouling surfaces while overcoming the hostile environmental disadvantages.

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