Smart Self‐Cleaning Materials—Lotus Effect Surfaces

Abstract The lotus effect represents superhydrophobicity and self‐cleaning properties of natural lotus leaves. Since it was first explained by Professor Wilhelm Barthlott in 1997, lotus effect has gained much attention, and various applications of lotus effect surfaces have been proposed. However, superhydrophobic surfaces have been prepared and studied since 1950s. In this work, the relationship between the two concepts, the lotus effect and superhydrophobicity, is discussed. We also briefly review the fundamental theories on the wettability of hydrophobic rough surfaces, recent modeling works on superhydrophobic and self‐cleaning properties, as well as the processing of lotus effect films. Based on the properties of lotus effect surfaces, different applications were introduced.