Advances in bioinspired superhydrophobic surface materials: A review on preparation, characterization and applications

Abstract

Superhydrophobic surfaces are surfaces which repel water at a certain contact angle (≥150°) and sliding angle (<10°). The surface roughing and modification by low surface energy chemicals like fatty acids and fluoroalkylsilanes are the two important steps to achieve superhydrophobic characteristics of materials. Innovative preparation and characterization techniques of superhydrophobic surfaces are formulated from keen observation and understanding of nature. Water hating surface of plants and different animals motivated several researchers to synthesis innovative materials which have superhydrophobic surface and used for many industrial needs. The materials have a plethora of applications in different areas due to their self-cleaning, low snow adhesion, corrosion resistant and microbial adhesion resistance. The review focused on the synthesis, characterization and application of materials with superhydrophobic surface. The preparation techniques such as sol-gel, solution immersion, spray coating and electrochemical deposition and applications of these materials are well discussed.

Keywords

• Contact angle
• Low surface energy
• Lotus leaf
• Self-cleaning
• Biomimetic
• Superhydrophobic