Abstract
Collembola cuticle structures demonstrated attractive and robust liquid super repellence due to the special evolved hierarchical patterns. These multiscale patterns consist of nanoscale triangle-shaped granules that are connected with microscale hexagon-shaped base structures. However, it is a challenge to reproduce such complex cuticle structures by using traditional manufacturing techniques. Here, the cuticle inspired structures were replicated via fiber-optic assisted three-dimensional photopolymerization (F3DP). This newly developed 3D printing process provided the capability to manipulate the geometry of bionic structures based on the natural cuticle structures. To enhance the liquid-repellent function, the 3D printed artificial cuticle structures were treated by the vapor phase process. The results show that the artificial cuticle structures reveal interesting properties in terms of superhydrophobicity, and the surface wettability can be modulated by controlling the height of bioinspired granules. Based on 3D printed artificial cuticle structures, a new icing protection surface was investigated. Compared with conventional methods, the 3D printed superhydrophobic surface decorated with artificial cuticle structures demonstrated promising perspectives in deicing applications.
