Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf

Lotus leaves have become an icon for superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning surfaces, and have led to the concept of the 'Lotus effect'. Although many other plants have superhydrophobic surfaces with almost similar contact angles, the lotus shows better stability and perfection of its water repellency. Here, we compare the relevant properties such as the micro- and nano-structure, the chemical composition of the waxes and the mechanical properties of lotus with its competitors. It soon becomes obvious that the upper epidermis of the lotus leaf has developed some unrivaled optimizations. The extraordinary shape and the density of the papillae are the basis for the extremely reduced contact area between surface…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
• AD
  Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur, Mainz