The Dynamic Interaction of Water Droplet with Nano-Stalagmite Functional Groups of Taro Leaf Surface

Abstract

This research is aimed at uncovering the dynamic interaction of a small water droplet with taro (colocasiaesculenta L) leaf surface that generates superhydrophobicity and leads to the electron jump phenomena. The discussion is supported by the Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray, and Fourier Transform Infra Red analyses of the taro leaf surface. The superhydrophobicity from the contact angle between the droplet and the taro leaf surface during the electron jump was measured using an electrode of aluminum foil attached under the taro leaf. The result shows that the taro leaf surface is covered by a wax layer, which has a nano-stalagmite structure comprising functional groups with some amount of mineral on top. The superhydrophobic field is created by nano-stalagmites primarily composed of Primary and Secondary Amines and Amides (bend) that tend to repel the water droplet. The extremely high surface tension or surface energy results from the repelling force from the nano-stalagmite over the very small radius of the nanostructure. Furthermore, the electron jump is primarily generated due to the high energy of the surface tension of the nano-stalagmite structure assisted by the minerals atop the stalagmite. The electrons jump from their orbit when the functional groups come in contact with H+ and OH- ions of the water droplet. The additional impulse force generated by the collision of the water droplet with the leaf surface along with the dynamic motion of the droplet strengthens the surface tension that pumps more electrons out of their orbit, thereby increasing the electrical voltage.

Characterization of Voltage Generation Obtained from Water Droplets on a Taro Leaf (Colocasia esculenta L) Surface

“…The superhydrophobic effect on the taro leaf's surface allows the droplet stress to generate the voltage. Moreover, this study completes the previous study (Negara, 2020) which tested the effect of droplet trajectory at higher slopes of 20°, 40° and 60° on the produced stress on the the taro leaf's surface.…”

“…Taro leaf is classified in the kingdom Plantae, with the division Tracheophyte, belonging to the class Magnoliopsida, in the order Alismatales, with the family Arcae, belonging to the genus Colocasia Schott, species Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott (Chakraborty, 2015;Govaerts, 2021). Figure 1 shows the results of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test of taro leaf (Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott) reproduced from author's previous study (Negara, 2020). As seen in Figure 1, wax layer on the surface of taro leaves (Colocasia esculenta (L)) was enlarged at 1000 times magnification and 50µm scale.…”

“…In addition, Negara et al (Negara, 2020), and Subagyo et al (Subagyo, 2017) conducted a study to reveal the interaction between droplets and taro leaves. A waxy layer covered on the taro leaf's surface with a nano-stalagmite structure consisted of functional groups with several minerals.…”

“…A waxy layer covered on the taro leaf's surface with a nano-stalagmite structure consisted of functional groups with several minerals. The superhydrophobic field is created by nano stalagmites of Primary and Secondary Amines and Amides (bends) which tend to repulse water droplets (Negara, 2020). (Neo, 2021) demonstrated a larger scale of water droplet energy harvesting by using an improved electrode from a single stapler pin.…”

Identifying the features of surface roughness and H2 bubble production on the super-hydrophobic properties of Al2O3 and Mg membranes

“…These studies include examining the surface roughness [1], examining the droplet volume when in contact with the leaf surface [2]. In fact, recent research has been carried out to explore the potential of superhydrophobic properties as a generator of electrical energy [3,4]. The mystery of superhydrophobicity begins to be solved by making membranes from nanoparticles [5].…”