Design of a Venation-like Patterned Surface with Hybrid Wettability for Highly Efficient Fog Harvesting.

Abstract

Inspired by Namib Desert beetle and leaf venation, a wettability-integrated system consisting of wettability-hybrid coatings and venation-like patterns was designed and successfully fabricated via a simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly route. The as-prepared surface can construct a 3D topography with a water layer and efficiently drain through the venation-like patterns. The combination of multiple mechanisms enhances the fog harvesting ability significantly. Meanwhile, the synergistic mechanisms of fog harvesting enhancement by a wettability-integrated surface were further studied and discussed.