Fish-scale bio-inspired multifunctional ZnO nanostructures

Abstract

Scales provide optical disguise, low water drag and mechanical protection to fish, enabling them to survive catastrophic environmental disasters, predators and microorganisms. The unique structures and stacking sequences of fish scales inspired the fabrication of artificial nanostructures with salient optical, interfacial and mechanical properties. Herein, we describe fish-scale bio-inspired multifunctional ZnO nanostructures that have similar morphology and structure to the cycloid scales of the Asian Arowana. These nanostructured coatings feature tunable light refraction and reflection, modulated surface wettability and damage-tolerant mechanical properties. The salient properties of these multifunctional nanostructures are promising for applications in (i) optical coatings, sensing or lens arrays for use in reflective displays, packing, advertising and solar energy harvesting; (ii) self-cleaning surfaces, including anti-smudge, anti-fouling and anti-fogging, and self-sterilizing surfaces; and (iii) mechanical/chemical barrier coatings. This study provides a low-cost and large-scale production method for the facile fabrication of these bio-inspired nanostructures and provides new insights for the development of novel functional materials for use in 'smart' structures and applications.

Deciphering buried air phases on natural and bioinspired superhydrophobic surfaces using synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging

“…We expect that this study will deepen the understanding of the physical mechanisms of superhydrophobicity and open up new possibilities for the design of functional surfaces and bioinspired materials. [27][28][29][30][31] …”

Recent Advances in the Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surfaces

“…55 The molecular self-assembly has been reported in numerous research papers. 20,7684 It may be achieved in different manners, such as solution immersion process, 16,24,82 roomtemperature vacuum approach, 81 chemical vapor deposition, 20 spraying process, 77 flame spray pyrolysis, 83 and so on. For example, Lu et al reported a cost-effective method to fabricate a graphene-modified foam via the convenient thermal reduction process of graphene oxide along with the reduced graphene's self-assembly.…”

A Review on the Fabrication of Hierarchical ZnO Nanostructures for Photocatalysis Application

“…Yin et al [59] reported a bio-inspired photoelectrode of a ZnO-modified graphene honeycomb film fabricated by a two-step process involving self-assembly of graphene oxide/dimethyldioctadecylammonium (GO/DODA), followed by reduction of GO and in situ growth of ZnO nanorods under hydrothermal treatment. Sun et al [60] described fish-scale bio-inspired multifunctional ZnO nanostructures that have a similar morphology and structure to the cycloid scales of the Asian Arowana using templates such as PEO 20 -PPO 70 -PEO 20 , P123 and EG co-surfactant. A similar strategy was used for rhabdom-like ZnO microspheres bio-inspired by fly eyes [61].…”