Enhanced tribological properties of lotus leaf-like surfaces fabricated by capillary force lithography

Abstract

The surface topography of a real lotus leaf was successfully replicated using a capillarity directed soft lithographic technique. The replication was carried out on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film coated on a silicon wafer. The friction property of the patterned surfaces was investigated on a microscale. Its friction coefficient was almost six times lower than that of the PMMA thin film. The reduced real area of contact projected by the patterned surface appears to be the main reason for its superior friction property.