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Fabrication of biomimetic lotus leaf film of ZnO by a two-step method of nanoimprint and hydrothermal growth for superhydrophobic applications

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
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Abstract

In this paper, the biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO were fabricated by the two-step method of UV imprint and hydrothermal growth. First, the photoresist micropapillae film was prepared by UV imprint technique from a natural lotus leaf. Then the hydrothermal growth method was used to grow ZnO nanowires (NWs) on the surface of the photoresist micropapillae film and obtained the biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO. ZnO NWs with high aspect ratio were obtained by changing the concentrations of growth solution and the assistance of additives. Different methods including SEM、TEM、XRD and XPS were used to characterize the surface structure and chemical properties of the films. Results show that the films have significant micro-nano hierarchical structures, which the ZnO NWs are arranged uniformly. The superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties of the ZnO films were also investigated, and the water contact angle and sliding angle of the films can respectively reach 156° and 9.6°. Thus, it is a simple and low cost process to fabricate biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO with superhydrophobic properties by the two-step method. The prepared ZnO films have potential application prospects in photovoltaic energy, medical, military and other fields.

Graphical abstract

The biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO fabricated by the two-step method of UV imprint and hydrothermal growth have excellent superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. The biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO were fabricated by the two-step method of UV imprint and hydrothermal growth. We have discussed the influence of the concentration of the hydrothermal growth solution on the diameter, length, and density of the ZnO NWs. Different methods including SEM, TEM, XRD and XPS have been used to characterize the morphology and structural properties of the ZnO films. Results show that the films have significant micro-nano hierarchical structures, which the ZnO NWs are arranged uniformly. Also, the superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties of the prepared biomimetic lotus leaf film of ZnO have been studied, which indicates that the films have excellent superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. Thus, it is a simple and low-cost process to fabricate biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO with superhydrophobic property using natural lotus leaf as raw material by two-step method. The prepared ZnO films have potential application prospects in photovoltaic energy, medical, military and other fields.

Highlights

  • The biomimetic lotus leaf films of ZnO were fabricated by the two-step method of UV imprint and hydrothermal growth.

  • Influence of the concentrations of growth solution and the assistance of additives was discussed.

  • The obtained ZnO films have a three-dimensional micro-nano composite structure.

  • The obtained ZnO films exhibit excellent superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning ability.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (grant numbers: 61605086, 51602160, 61574080, 61274121). Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Program No. 2019JM-520).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Microelectronics, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China

    Xuehua Zhang, Zhongjie Wang, Shun Liu, Wei Zhang & Fangren Hu

  2. The Key Laboratory for Surface Engineering and Remanufacturing in Shaanxi Province, School of Chemical Engineering, Xi’an University, Xi’an, 710065, Shaanxi, China

    Jing Chen

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  1. Xuehua Zhang
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  2. Zhongjie Wang
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Zhang, X., Wang, Z., Liu, S. et al. Fabrication of biomimetic lotus leaf film of ZnO by a two-step method of nanoimprint and hydrothermal growth for superhydrophobic applications. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 108, 73–83 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06162-2

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