Superhydrophobic Coatings on Cellulose‐Based Materials: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications

Abstract

Wettability of a solid surface by a liquid plays an important role in several phenomena and applications, for example in adhesion, printing, and self‐cleaning. In particular, wetting of rough surfaces has attracted great scientific interest in recent decades. Superhydrophobic surfaces, which possess extraordinary water repelling properties due to their low surface energy and specific nanometer‐ and micrometer‐scale roughness, are of particular interest due to the great variety of potential applications ranging from self‐cleaning surfaces to microfluidic devices. In recent years, the potential of superhydrophobic cellulose‐based materials in the function of smart devices and functional clothing has been recognized, and in the past few years cellulose‐based materials have established themselves among the most frequently used substrates for superhydrophobic coatings. In this Review, over 40 different approaches to fabricate superhydrophobic coatings on cellulose‐based materials are discussed in detail. In addition to the anti‐wetting properties of the coatings, particular attention is paid to coating durability and other incorporated functionalities such as gas permeability, transparency, UV‐shielding, photoactivity, and self‐healing properties. Potential applications for the superhydrophobic cellulose‐based materials range from water‐ and stain‐repellent, self‐cleaning and breathable clothing to cheap and disposable lab‐on‐a‐chip devices made from renewable sources with reduced material consumption.