A review on application areas and surface geometry in superhydrophobic materials

Abstract

Superhydrophobic surfaces offer many advantages beyond just being hydrophobic (water repellent) to the surface. The superhydrophobic property can be achieved by artificially creating geometric structures on the material surface. These geometric structures reduce the contact area between the liquid and the surface. The contact angle between the liquid and the surface gives rise to two conditions: hydrophobic and hydrophilic. If the contact angle between the surface and the liquid is above 90 degrees, a hydrophobic state occurs. If the angle is below 90 degrees, the surface is in a hydrophilic state. One of these two states is determined depending on the need and provides alternative solutions for many problems that currently await engineering interventions. Scientific studies in the field of superhydrophobia are increasing day by day. Interest in superhydrophobia is expected to grow further, as it offers environmentally friendly and economical solutions to ongoing challenges in various sectors. Superhydrophobic materials also offer a method of preventing icing due to their ability to prevent liquid retention on the material surface through their water repellent properties. Since the reduction of the contact area between the liquid and the material surface on superhydrophobic surfaces leads to a decrease in the friction factor, the friction of the flow on the material will also decrease. These properties of superhydrophobic materials generate interest in sectors such as aviation and marine. This study describes the properties of superhydrophobic surfaces created through various methods on materials, focusing on applications such as anti-icing and reduction of friction factor.