Chen, Kaiwei , Du, Cui , Yu, Yonghang , Ji, Dedong , Zhou, Chen , Yang, Shengyang
2026-06-20 COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS 2026 739(卷), null(期), (null页)
Inspired by the synergistic hydration mechanisms of the elytra of the desert beetle and the lotus leaf, we developed a biomimetic copper foam/ Cu3(BTC)2@hexadecyltrimethoxysilane(CF/HKUST-1@HDTMS) composite membrane via a controllable silane modification strategy. This material was constructed on a copper substrate through a process involving selective oxidation, in-situ chelation, and surface modification, resulting in a surface with a well-defined wettability gradient. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the heterogeneous structure and chemical composition of the CF/HKUST-1@HDTMS surface. The hydrophilic regions, identified by contact angle measurements, provide optimized nucleation sites for water vapor, promoting rapid condensation. Conversely, the superhydrophobic regions significantly reduce the adhesion force, as quantified by dynamic contact angle analysis, enabling efficient droplet coalescence and shedding. This bio-inspired design replicates nature's intelligent water management, endowing the CF/HKUST-1@HDTMS membrane with both high condensation efficiency and outstanding self-renewal capability. Furthermore, robustness tests, including mechanical abrasion and environmental exposure, demonstrated the material's exceptional stability. The CF/HKUST-1@HDTMS membrane thus presents a promising and durable solution for atmospheric water harvesting in arid regions.