Observation and analysis of ultrastructure and wettability of butterfly wing surfaces
1. Center of Micro/ Nano Science and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; 2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; 3. Low-dimension Material Micro/Nano Device and System Center, Jiangsu Polytechnic University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China）
Abstract：The ultrastructures of the butterfly wings of Catopsilia pomona, Mycalesis misenus de Niceville, Stibochiona nicea, Papilio maackii and Parantica melaneus were observed by thermal field emission scanning electron microscope. Static contact angle and roll angle of the butterfly wing surfaces were measured by the contact angle measuring system. The results show that the ultra-structures of butterfly wings are formed by arraying micron scales, on which there are regularly arranged ridges ribs and concavity. The ultrastructures of the scales surface, including the size and interval distance of the rows, ribs, and ridges, vary with the difference of the butterfly kinds. The wettabilities of the butterfly wings were also analyzed. The static contact angles of wing surfaces are in the range of 139.7° to 158.9° ,larger than the contact angles of no-scale wing surfaces（88°- 144°）. Interestingly, the roll angles along, against and perpendicular to the arrangement direction are different, indicating that anisotropy of wettahility of wing surfaces is related to the special surface microstructures on the wings.
2009, Vol. 30 
