A lesson from nature

Zaki Ahmad*, Faheemuddin Patel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

Abstract

The lotus flower is a symbol of purity and divine wisdom and has played an important role in the cultures of India, China and Japan. Hydrophobicity is determined by a contact angle - the angle between water droplets and the surfaces. If the contact angle is less than 90°, the surface is referred to as hydrophilic. It is hydrophobic if the angle is greater than 90°, and superhydrophobic if the angle is greater than 160°. Recent developments in the production of superhydrophobic surfaces include plasma fluorination of polybutadiene films. An easy-to-clean surface is the aim of many architectural, industrial and domestic coatings. An attempt has been made to produce a nanocoating with self-cleaning and water repellent properties using OH -1 functional acrylate additives, which are shown to provide self-cleaning properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages33-34
Number of pages2
Volume17
No10
Specialist publicationMaterials World
StatePublished - Oct 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys

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