A water strider-like model with large and stable loading capacity fabricated from superhydrophobic copper foils

The present study reported the floating behavior of a water strider-like model on water surface. The artificial "legs" of the model were fabricated from round-shaped superhydrophobic copper foils that were prepared by simple solution-immersion processes in dilute ammonia and subsequent n-dodecanoic acid solutions. It was observed that four "legs" of the model, which had diameter of 2.0 cm and thickness of 50 μm, could support at least 6.15 g of weight on a water surface for more than 30 days. Results revealed that the loading capacity of the model depended on the wettability of the "legs"; and the superhydrophobic "legs" were indispensable for the large and stable loading capacity. The finding of this study shows an alternative application of 2D superhydrophobic surfaces and might help to the design of miniaturized aquatic devices.