Influence of Cuticle Nanostructuring on the Wetting Behaviour/States on Cicada Wings

Mingxia Sun; Aiping Liang; Gregory S Watson; Jolanta A Watson; Yongmei Zheng; Jie Ju; Lei Jiang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035056

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Influence of Cuticle Nanostructuring on the Wetting Behaviour/States on Cicada Wings

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Influence of Cuticle Nanostructuring on the Wetting Behaviour/States on Cicada Wings

Mingxia Sun, Aiping Liang, Gregory S Watson, Jolanta A Watson, Yongmei Zheng, Jie Ju and Lei Jiang

PLoS One, Vol.7(4), e35056

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035056

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Abstract

cicada wings

cuticle nanostructuring

wetting behaviour

The nanoscale protrusions of different morphologies on wing surfaces of four cicada species were examined under an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The water contact angles (CAs) of the wing surfaces were measured along with droplet adhesion values using a high-sensitivity microelectromechanical balance system. The water CA and adhesive force measurements obtained were found to relate to the nanostructuring differences of the four species. The adhesive forces in combination with the Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel approximations were used to predict wetting states of the insect wing cuticles. The more disordered and inhomogeneous surface of the species Leptopsalta bifuscata demonstrated a Wenzel type wetting state or an intermediate state of spreading and imbibition with a CA of 81.3° and high adhesive force of 149.5 µN. Three other species (Cryptotympana atrata, Meimuna opalifer and Aola bindusara) exhibited nanostructuring of the form of conically shaped protrusions, which were spherically capped. These surfaces presented a range of high adhesional values; however, the CAs were highly hydrophobic (C. atrata and A. bindusara) and in some cases close to superhydrophobic (M. opalifer). The wetting states of A. bindusara, C. atrata and M. opalifer (based on adhesion and CAs) are most likely represented by the transitional region between the Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel approximations to varying degrees.

Details

Title: Influence of Cuticle Nanostructuring on the Wetting Behaviour/States on Cicada Wings
Authors: Mingxia Sun (Author) - Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Aiping Liang (Author) - Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Gregory S Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Jolanta A Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Yongmei Zheng (Author) - Beihang University, China
Jie Ju (Author) - Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Lei Jiang (Author) - Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Publication details: PLoS One, Vol.7(4), e35056
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035056
ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
Copyright note: Copyright © 2012 Sun et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448843502621
Output Type: Journal article
Research Statement: false

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

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