Dew harvesting grass: role of epicuticular wax in regulating condensation dynamics

Abstract

Identification and characterization of natural dew collecting models is instrumental for the inspiration, design and development of engineered dew harvesting systems. Short low growing grass is one of the most ubiquitous and proficient examples of natural dew harvesting, owing to its large surface area, small thermal capacity, structured rough surface and proximity to ground level. Here, we provide a closer look at the formation, growth, and dynamics of microscale dew droplets on the surface of wheatgrass leaves, investigating the role of epicuticular wax. The wheatgrass leaf exhibits biphilic properties emerging from the hydrophilic lamina covered by hydrophobic wax microsculptures. As a result, the regulation of the dew formation and condensation dynamics is largely governed by the arrangement and density of epicuticular wax micromorphologies. At moderate subcooling levels (4-10 $^{\circ}$C below the dew point), we observe drop-wise condensation on the superhydrophobic adaxial side, while significant flooding and film condensation usually appear on abaxial surfaces with lower wax coverage. On the adaxial side of the leaves, the fairly uniform coverage of the hydrophobic epicuticular wax crystals on the hydrophilic background promotes drop-wise condensation nucleation while facilitating droplet mobility. Frequent coalescence of multiple droplets of 5 - 20 ${\mu}$m diameter results in self-propelled departure events, creating free potential sites for new nucleation. The findings of this study advance our understanding of dew formation on natural surfaces while providing inspiration and guidance for the development of sustainable functional microstructured coatings for various drop-wise condensation applications.