Superhydrophobic modification of cellulose and cotton textiles: Methodologies and applications

TLDR

Cellulose-based superhydrophobic materials offer biodegradable, renewable, and non‑toxic alternatives to conventional plastics, with applications ranging from self‑cleaning to oil‑water separation and electromagnetic shielding. This review surveys progress in producing superhydrophobic cellulose and fiber networks, emphasizing their fabrication methods and applications. The authors compile and analyze various fabrication techniques and application strategies for superhydrophobic-modified cellulose and fiber networks. The review highlights critical factors for advancing the field and proposes new ideas for developing green superhydrophobic materials.

Abstract

Superhydrophobic cellulose-based products have immense potential in many industries where plastics and other polymers with hydrophobic properties are used. Superhydrophobic cellulose-based plastic is inherently biodegradable, renewable and non-toxic. Finding a suitable replacement of plastics is highly desired since plastics has become an environmental concern. Despite its inherent hydrophilicity, cellulose has unparalleled advantages as a substrate for the production of superhydrophobic materials which has been widely used in self-cleaning, self-healing, oil and water separation, electromagnetic interference shielding, etc. This review includes a comprehensive survey of the progress achieved so far in the production of super-hydrophobic materials based on cellulose and fiber networks. The methodologies and applications of superhydrophobic-modified cellulose and fiber networks are emphasized. Overall, presented herein is targeting on summarizing some of the aspects that are critical to advance this evolving field of science which may provide new ideas for the developing and exploring of superhydrophobic and green-based materials.