Janus interface materials: superhydrophobic air/solid interface and superoleophobic water/solid interface inspired by a lotus leaf

Abstract

We discovered underwater superoleophobicity on the lower side of a lotus leaf, and fabricated Janus interface materials with in-air superhydrophobicity on one side and underwater superoleophobicity on the other side inspired by the Janus feature of the lotus leaf. The ingenious design on lotus leaf surfaces, superhydrophobicity on its upper side and underwater superoleophobicity on its lower side, not only helps us thoroughly understand the special surface wettability of the lotus leaf, but also gives a typical example of multi-functionality in biological systems. This study supplies us with an intelligent strategy to design and create bionic multi-functional interface materials.