A bio-inspired superhydrophobic surface for fog collection and directional water transport

Simple methods for the collection and transportation of water droplets can solve complex problems, but developing technologies to achieve this is a challenge. To this end, widespread attention in recent years has focused on the preparation and application of superhydrophobic surfaces. Inspired by the structures of trichomes (hairs) of Sarracenia, a genus of carnivorous pitcher plants, we report a bionic high-low riblike microstructure with superhydrophobic and directional water transport properties. At the same time, we can accelerate fog-collection efficiency by preparing a surface enabling directional slip of liquid. This work provides a good strategy for liquid transportation and fog collection, which has broad application prospects in the collection of rainwater in desert areas and the transmission of microfluidics in mechanical engineering. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.