Superhydrophobic Polymers

Superhydrophobic polymers are developed by using a biomimetic approach, with an emphasis on mimicking biological processes and drawing inspiration from nature's designs. These hybrid materials possess diverse properties, with a key feature being superhydrophobicity. This characteristic is closely linked to surface wettability, determined by measuring the contact angle, and influenced by the surface tension of the material. Depending on whether the liquid's value is high or low, the material can be classified as hydrophilic or hydrophobic.

Superhydrophobic surfaces typically exhibit contact angles greater than 150°, often having micro or nano-sized roughness. To qualify as superhydrophobic, a surface must demonstrate a high static contact angle (SCA) and minimal contact angle hysteresis (CAH), allowing droplets to roll off easily. CAH, calculated between the advancing and retreating contact angles, signifies the degree of surface hydrophobicity.

Surface modification methods like etching, lithography, and plasma treatment can achieve superhydrophobicity, although they may be restricted by substrate guidelines. Consequently, indirect substrate modification through chemical or physical processes, such as coating, is adopted by forming new substrate layers with different properties.

Thanks to advancements in nanotechnology and materials science, superhydrophobic surfaces find widespread application in daily life. Examples include self-cleaning smart coatings, such as those incorporating TiO2 into PTFE, and epoxy coatings with ZnO. These surfaces inhibit electrochemical reactions by repelling water from metal surfaces like Cu, Zn, Fe, steel, and alloys, thus preventing corrosion. Marine coatings increasingly utilize superhydrophobic coatings for their corrosion resistance and drag reduction.

Moreover, superhydrophobic materials are being extensively applied in various fields such as membrane distillation, microfluidics, solar cells, sensors, and automotive components. Their tailored interfacial properties make them advanced functional materials suitable for practical applications.

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Author
Dr. Saurabh Tayde
Trainer - Polymerupdate Academy