Hierarchical Structure and Multifunctional Surface Properties of Carnivorous Pitcher Plants Nepenthes
Hierarchical Structure and Multifunctional Surface Properties of Carnivorous Pitcher Plants Nepenthes
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DOI：
10.1007/s11837-015-1349-0
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发表时间：
2015-04-01
期刊：
影响因子：
2.6
通讯作者：
Chen, Po-Yu
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Hsu, Chiao-Peng;Lin, Yu-Min;Chen, Po-Yu
Nepenthes属的肉食性猪笼草已经进化出特殊的叶子来实现吸引、捕获、保留和消化猎物（主要是节肢动物）的多种功能。在以前的工作中已经提出和讨论了不同的捕获机制。最重要的捕获机制是其独特的超亲水性表面特性。分层的表面结构和花蜜分泌物的结合形成了一个特殊的水润滑捕获系统。各向异性和单向润湿性主要归因于脊状表面和表皮褶皱。疏水性蜡质区三维板状蜡晶可以进一步阻止猎物的逃逸。捕获的猎物然后在亲水性消化区消化。本研究对杂交种Nepenthes x Miranda进行了研究。采用扫描电镜对其表面形貌和层次结构进行了表征。通过接触角测量和润湿效率测试，确定了在控制温度和湿度的条件下，新鲜、无花蜜和蔗糖包衣条件下的润湿性。结果表明，蔗糖包覆的渗膜表面具有最佳的润湿效果。阐明了楝花草的结构-性能-功能关系和捕获机理，为新型仿生表面的设计和合成及其潜在应用提供了理论依据。
Carnivorous pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes have evolved specialized leaves fulfilling the multi-functions of attracting, capturing, retaining and digesting the prey, mostly arthropods. Different capturing mechanisms have been proposed and discussed in previous works. The most important capture mechanism is the unique super-hydrophilic surface properties of the peristome. The combination of a hierarchical surface structure and nectar secretions results in an exceptional water-lubricated trapping system. Anisotropic and unidirectional wettability is attributed to the ridge-like surface and epidermal folding. The three-dimensional plate-like wax crystals in the hydrophobic waxy zone can further prevent the prey from escaping. The captured prey are then digested in the hydrophilic digestive zone. The hybrid species Nepenthes x Miranda was investigated in this study. The surface morphology and hierarchical microstructure were characterized by scanning electron microscope. Contact angle measurement and wetting efficiency tests were performed to determine the wettability of the peristome under fresh, nectar-free and sucrose-coated conditions with controlled temperature and humidity. The results showed that sucrose-coated peristome surfaces possess the best wetting efficiency. The structure-property-function relationship and the capturing mechanism of Nepenthes were elucidated, which could further lead to the design and synthesis of novel bio-inspired surfaces and potential applications.