Mimicking the nanostructure of bamboo leaves (backside) for hydrophobicity using polydimethylsiloxane moulding and nano-imprint lithography.

Extensive studies have revealed that various kinds of plant leaf have a hydrophobic property which arises from the micro- and nano-scale structure of the leaves. As the self-cleaning capability of plant leaves, termed the lotus effect, is based on their micro- and nano-scale structure, this hydrophobic property can be obtained on various other surfaces by duplication of the leaves' structure. In this study, the hydrophobic structure on bamboo leaves (Pseudosasa japonica) was successfully replicated on a glass substrate using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding technique and UV nano-imprint lithography. The replicated nano structure, made of perfluorinated acrylate imprint resin, was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and its hydrophobicity was evaluated by contact angle measurements which confirmed that the hydrophobic nature and self-cleaning capability of the original bamboo leaves were also replicated.