Bio-Inspired Self-Cleaning Surfaces

TLDR

Self‑cleaning surfaces, inspired by natural strategies such as TiO₂‑based superhydrophilicity, lotus‑effect superhydrophobicity, gecko setae, and underwater antifouling, have attracted significant research and practical interest. This review surveys recent progress in the mechanisms, preparation, and applications of self‑cleaning surfaces and aims to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration for rational design and reproducible construction of bio‑inspired multifunctional surfaces. The review examines the four conceptual approaches—TiO₂‑based superhydrophilic, lotus‑effect superhydrophobic, gecko setae, and underwater antifouling—highlighting their mechanisms, preparation methods, and applications. The review notes that while several self‑cleaning products are commercialized, challenges remain and outlines future outlooks.

Abstract

Self-cleaning surfaces have drawn a lot of interest for both fundamental research and practical applications. This review focuses on the recent progress in mechanism, preparation, and application of self-cleaning surfaces. To date, self-cleaning has been demonstrated by the following four conceptual approaches: (a) TiO 2 -based superhydrophilic self-cleaning, (b) lotus effect self-cleaning (superhydrophobicity with a small sliding angle), (c) gecko setae–inspired self-cleaning, and (d) underwater organisms–inspired antifouling self-cleaning. Although a number of self-cleaning products have been commercialized, the remaining challenges and future outlook of self-cleaning surfaces are also briefly addressed. Through evolution, nature, which has long been a source of inspiration for scientists and engineers, has arrived at what is optimal. We hope this review will stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration among material science, chemistry, biology, physics, nanoscience, engineering, etc., which is essential for the rational design and reproducible construction of bio-inspired multifunctional self-cleaning surfaces in practical applications.