Liquid-solid contact electrification when water droplets hit living plant leaves

Abstract Contact electrification has gained interest as a mechanism for generating charges on surfaces. It also been shown that plant leaves generate by both solid-solid and liquid-solid contact. However, it is unclear how water droplets hitting leaf causes charging which structural features affect this phenomenon. Here, we show the in-situ surface structures of leaves, droplet composition, prior ionization influence living contact several superhydrophobic hydrophilic species. We find hierarchical responsible self-cleaning wetting, known Lotus effect, create specific pattern. Each characteristic signal in tissue depending structure composition epicuticular wax layer well composition. These findings give insight occurs nature, suggesting potential deriving new bio-based materials sensing energy harvesting artificial plant-hybrid devices.