Recent developments in superhydrophobic surfaces with unique structural and functional properties

Abstract

The surface wettability control of solid materials has been considered as an essential aspect of surface chemistry. In the past decade, superhydrophobic surfaces have revealed a cornucopia of novel structural and functional properties, exhibiting considerable importance in both fundamental research and practical applications. In this review, we summarize the recent developments of superhydrophobic surfaces with unique structural and functional properties. Both the fabricative methods and the working performance of superhydrophobic surfaces with multidisciplinary functionalities including self-cleaning, icephobicity, anti-corrosion, drag reduction, transparency, anti-reflection, structural color, droplet transportation, anisotropy, oil–water separation, water supporting force, superamphiphobicity and responsive switching, have been discussed briefly. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of this dynamic field are discussed based on our own opinion.