Green Materials in Superhydrophobic Coatings

Dear Colleagues,

(1) Introduction

Superhydrophobic coatings, characterized by extreme water repellency, have emerged as a transformative technology with applications in self-cleaning surfaces, anti-corrosion, energy efficiency, and biomedical devices. However, traditional superhydrophobic materials often rely on synthetic chemicals, fluorinated compounds, or nonbiodegradable polymers, raising concerns regarding environmental pollution, toxicity, and long-term sustainability. In recent years, the global push toward green chemistry and circular economy principles has driven a shift toward developing superhydrophobic coatings from renewable, biodegradable, or nontoxic raw materials. This research area bridges materials science, surface engineering, and sustainability, aiming to balance functional performance with ecological responsibility. 

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which seeks to showcase cutting-edge research focused on green materials for superhydrophobic coatings, addressing the urgent need for environmentally friendly solutions in surface technology. 

(2) Aim of the Special Issue 

This Special Issue aims to highlight advancements in the design, synthesis, and application of sustainable materials for superhydrophobic coatings. It will focus on materials derived from natural resources (e.g., biomass, biopolymers), recyclable or biodegradable polymers, non-fluorinated formulations, and eco-friendly fabrication processes. This subject matter aligns with the scope of Materials due to our emphasis on collating multidisciplinary research at the intersection of materials science, environmental science, and engineering, promoting innovation that balances technological progress with ecological sustainability. The goal of this Special Issue is to compile at least 10 high-quality articles, which may be published in book form upon reaching this threshold. 

(3) Suggested Themes and Article Types 

Original research articles and review papers are welcome to be submitted. Potential research areas include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Synthesis of green precursors (e.g., cellulose, chitosan, lignin, natural waxes) for superhydrophobic surfaces;
• Development of non-fluorinated, low-toxicity superhydrophobic coatings; 
• Sustainable fabrication methods (e.g., aqueous-based processes, low-energy synthesis, 3D printing); 
• Surface modification of green materials for hierarchical roughness and chemical hydrophobicity; 
• Durability and recyclability of eco-friendly superhydrophobic coatings; 
• Applications in environmental remediation, renewable energy, or biomedical devices; 
• Lifecycle assessment and sustainability metrics for superhydrophobic materials. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions to advance the development of sustainable superhydrophobic technology. 

Dr. Siyuan Wang
Dr. Guanlin Ren
Prof. Dr. Ding Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.