Deciphering buried air phases on natural and bioinspired superhydrophobic surfaces using synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging

Synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging was employed to observe the solid–liquid-vapor interface on superhydrophobic surfaces. The reconstructed 3D images revealed that the water exists in the Cassie-to-Wenzel transit state. The micro/nano-structures trapped a large amount air on the supherhydrophobic surface to repel water.