Characterization and Bioreplication of Tradescantia pallida Inspired Biomimetic Superwettability for Dual Way Patterned Water Harvesting

Abstract

Biomimicry elucidates nature's faultless synchronization of structure with function inspiring researchers to create designs that can achieve maximum performance with minimalistic resource exhaustion. Nature has evolved the invasive species Tradescantia pallida (T. pallida) with the ability to survive in drought lands. Since this species requires humidity to survive in those conditions it can be inferred that the T. pallida partakes of foliar atmospheric water harvesting. Herein, the wettability is tested with the study establishing that the leaf exhibits para‐hydrophobicity while demonstrating a static contact angle of 165°, whereas the morphological characterization reveals a complex hierarchical sculpturing with macroscale trichomes and parallel venations. Moreover, it is identified that the foliar water uptake occurs via the para‐hydrophobic surface and the hydrophobic trichomes subsequently guiding the water along the parallel channels creating a leaf that has an efficient dual way water harvesting system. These features render it capable of surviving in any habitat that validates nature's perfect unification of structure and function. Such multifunctional surfaces are a rarity thereby making them desirable for smart water harvesting designs. Thus inspired, a replica is developed which mimics the wettability with functional artificial trichomes and a potential dual way patterned water harvesting concept is presented.

Sculpting the surface: Structural patterning of plant epidermis

“…Finally, physical properties are not mutually exclusive, and plant epidermis often behave as multifunctional surfaces. The wax crystals behind the golden appearance of Purple heart leaves, when combined with other structural elements of the epidermis, also provide para-hydrophobic behaviors, allowing efficient harvest of water droplets ( Suvindran et al., 2018 ). Such a behavior could facilitate self-irrigation and might contribute to survival in drought habitats.…”

Micro‐/Nanostructured Interface for Liquid Manipulation and Its Applications

“…There are many other natural micro‐/nanostructured surfaces that inspired researchers to invent their water collectors, such as thorns of plant pitaya, Tradescantia pallida , Sarracenia trichome and spider net . Aizenberg et al synthesized the structural features of Namib desert beetle , cactus spine and pitcher plant together to obtain a rationally designed surface with slippery asymmetric bumps, which achieved unprecedented droplet condensation and transport.…”

Bio-Templating: An Emerging Synthetic Technique for Catalysts. A Review

“…Therefore, water harvesting by generating water from collected rain is essential in areas where fresh water is scarce. Suvindran et al [50] assessed the wettability of Tradescantia pallida, an invasive species that can survive through drought and in arid places because it uses humidity from the environment. The authors determined that the leaves have an efficient dual way water harvesting system via the para-hydrophobic surface and the hydrophobic trichomes guiding the water along parallel channels.…”