journal article·2026-01

Metal Oxides Engineering: toward Sustainable Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Chengjin Zhang, Ke Pei, Tianyu Sheng, Manting Zhang, Zifeng Zhao, Wenchao Huang, Yuan Li, Shulun Ai, Zhiguang Guo

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 1
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Metal oxides (MOs) have emerged as a transformative platform for creating superhydrophobic surfaces, capitalizing on their inherent advantages—remarkable thermal/chemical stability, adjustable electronic structures, earth‐abundant availability, and environmental compatibility. This review first presents mechanistic insights into MOs‐driven superhydrophobicity. The distinctive wettability mechanism of MOs‐based superhydrophobic surfaces (MOSHSs) is shown to originate from their unique atomic‐level nanostructures and surface properties. Then, the recent progress in MOSHSs is concisely examined. Subsequently, the review details two key design strategies: 1) fabrication of micro‐nanostructures and 2) chemical modifier modification. These approaches synergistically enable extreme water repellency and stable Cassie‐Baxter states through tunable morphologies and surface chemistry. Cutting‐edge fabrication innovations are highlighted, particularly those reconciling industrial scalability, economic viability, and ecological sustainability. Recent advances in multifunctional MOSHSs for practical applications are further emphasized. Finally, the review identifies critical challenges (mechanism exploration, process optimization, performance enhancement, application expansion) and establishes MOs as next‐generation platforms for sustainable superhydrophobic technologies.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity · Aerogels and thermal insulation · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials School of Materials Science and Engineering Hubei University Wuhan 430062 P. R. China

School of New Energy and Electrical Engineering Hubei University Wuhan 430062 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing School of Materials Science and Engineering Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou 730000 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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