Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis

Wettability has widespread applications in everyday life such as waterproof clothing, moisture-proof materials, and self-cleaning surfaces. It is also a common phenomenon observed in plants like the lotus, where superhydrophobicity is primarily influenced by chemical composition and microstructure,...

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Main Authors: Jinxin Tie, Binfeng Shen, Yuehui Qiao, Wei Zhao, Ronghua Xu, Miao Wang, Kecheng Li, Jie Qian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Materials
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2024.1485713/full
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author Jinxin Tie
Binfeng Shen
Binfeng Shen
Yuehui Qiao
Wei Zhao
Ronghua Xu
Miao Wang
Kecheng Li
Kecheng Li
Jie Qian
author_facet Jinxin Tie
Binfeng Shen
Binfeng Shen
Yuehui Qiao
Wei Zhao
Ronghua Xu
Miao Wang
Kecheng Li
Kecheng Li
Jie Qian
author_sort Jinxin Tie
collection DOAJ
description Wettability has widespread applications in everyday life such as waterproof clothing, moisture-proof materials, and self-cleaning surfaces. It is also a common phenomenon observed in plants like the lotus, where superhydrophobicity is primarily influenced by chemical composition and microstructure, with the latter playing the most critical role. In this paper, we explore how microstructure affects the wettability of tobacco leaves and examine the relationship between microstructure and contact angle. We select three different Roast tobacco leaves and use Neumann models and Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble (OWRK) models to calculate the surface energy, and the surface energy is between 28 and 31 mN/m and the Young’s contact angle is around 90°. Based on the Cassie–Baxter model, we develop theoretical models of venation and foliage for predicting contact angles. The results show that the surface of the tobacco leaves can transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by modifying the size of the surface microstructure. Also we develop a method that use SEM and ImageJ to predict contact angle on leaves by analyzing solid-liquid contact area. The results indicate that the discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental results is within 5%. These findings may provide a better understanding of the wettability in natural plants and may pave a new way of realizing surface fabrications with specific infiltrating properties in industries.
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spelling doaj-art-2feb0efeff914346a9cb471071937f0b2025-08-20T02:39:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Materials2296-80162024-12-011110.3389/fmats.2024.14857131485713Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysisJinxin Tie0Binfeng Shen1Binfeng Shen2Yuehui Qiao3Wei Zhao4Ronghua Xu5Miao Wang6Kecheng Li7Kecheng Li8Jie Qian9Ningbo Cigarette Factory, China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd., Ningbo, ChinaFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, ChinaCenter for Mechanics Plus Under Extreme Environments, Ningbo University, Ningbo, ChinaTechnology Center, China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, ChinaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaNingbo Cigarette Factory, China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd., Ningbo, ChinaNingbo Cigarette Factory, China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd., Ningbo, ChinaFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, ChinaCenter for Mechanics Plus Under Extreme Environments, Ningbo University, Ningbo, ChinaNingbo Cigarette Factory, China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd., Ningbo, ChinaWettability has widespread applications in everyday life such as waterproof clothing, moisture-proof materials, and self-cleaning surfaces. It is also a common phenomenon observed in plants like the lotus, where superhydrophobicity is primarily influenced by chemical composition and microstructure, with the latter playing the most critical role. In this paper, we explore how microstructure affects the wettability of tobacco leaves and examine the relationship between microstructure and contact angle. We select three different Roast tobacco leaves and use Neumann models and Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble (OWRK) models to calculate the surface energy, and the surface energy is between 28 and 31 mN/m and the Young’s contact angle is around 90°. Based on the Cassie–Baxter model, we develop theoretical models of venation and foliage for predicting contact angles. The results show that the surface of the tobacco leaves can transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by modifying the size of the surface microstructure. Also we develop a method that use SEM and ImageJ to predict contact angle on leaves by analyzing solid-liquid contact area. The results indicate that the discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental results is within 5%. These findings may provide a better understanding of the wettability in natural plants and may pave a new way of realizing surface fabrications with specific infiltrating properties in industries.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2024.1485713/fullcontact anglewettabilitysurface microstructureroughnesssimulation
spellingShingle Jinxin Tie
Binfeng Shen
Binfeng Shen
Yuehui Qiao
Wei Zhao
Ronghua Xu
Miao Wang
Kecheng Li
Kecheng Li
Jie Qian
Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
Frontiers in Materials
contact angle
wettability
surface microstructure
roughness
simulation
title Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
title_full Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
title_fullStr Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
title_full_unstemmed Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
title_short Influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves: a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
title_sort influence of microstructure on the wettability of tobacco leaves a theoretical model and quantitative analysis
topic contact angle
wettability
surface microstructure
roughness
simulation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2024.1485713/full
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