Superhydrophobic Materials for Green and Low-Carbon Technologies: A Review of Recent Progress and Applications

Xi’an Polytechnic University, Xi’an 710600, China

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Abstract

With the increasing global demand for energy conservation and emission reduction, superhydrophobic materials have attracted significant attention due to their exceptional surface wettability. Based on the classical theories of Young, Wenzel, and Cassie-Baxter, these materials achieve extreme liquid repellency through micro-nano structures and low-surface-energy chemistry. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in the application of superhydrophobic materials in key energy-saving and emission-reduction fields, including automotive, aviation, marine, construction, and solar energy conversion. The analysis covers the core principles, functional mechanisms, and performance characteristics of representative studies, highlighting the multifunctional roles of superhydrophobic coatings in self-cleaning, anti-icing, corrosion resistance, drag reduction, and thermal insulation. The review provides a comprehensive reference for the development of high-performance, environmentally friendly superhydrophobic materials toward green and low-carbon technologies.