Superhydrophobic Surfaces: Wetting Phenomena and Preparation Methods
A special issue of Surfaces (ISSN 2571-9637).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 3112
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Superhydrophobic surfaces, which exhibit extreme water repellency, have captivated human curiosity for centuries; one of the earliest natural examples can be traced back to the observation of lotus leaves, whose self-cleaning ability—driven by their unique micro- and nanostructured surface combined with a low-surface-energy wax layer—has long inspired interest. Though ancient civilizations may not have understood the underlying science, the practical benefits of such water-repellent properties, from keeping surfaces dry to reducing contamination, were intuitively recognized. Today, the study of superhydrophobic surfaces has evolved into a sophisticated field, deeply rooted in the understanding of wetting phenomena. Wetting behavior, characterized by contact angles exceeding 150° and sliding angles below 10°, is governed by a complex interplay of surface chemistry (e.g., low-surface-energy functional groups) and topography (e.g., hierarchical micro-/nanostructures, porous architectures, or re-entrant geometries).
The preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces has seen remarkable diversification, encompassing a wide range of techniques tailored to specific materials and applications. These include chemical etching to create microscale roughness on metallic substrates, sol-gel synthesis for depositing ceramic-based coatings with controlled nanostructures, electrospinning to fabricate polymeric nanofiber mats with inherent hydrophobicity, and vapor deposition methods (such as chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition) for precise control over surface chemistry and morphology. Additionally, bioinspired approaches, mimicking lotus leaves or water strider legs, have led to innovative fabrication strategies that combine roughness and low surface energy in novel ways.
In this Special Issue, we will showcase the latest advancements in the understanding of wetting phenomena on superhydrophobic surfaces and the development of cutting-edge preparation techniques. We welcome original research articles that explore fundamental aspects of wetting mechanics, surface characterization, and durability, as well as short critical reviews that synthesize current trends, challenges, and future directions in the field—from environmental applications such as anti-icing and corrosion protection to industrial uses in self-cleaning materials and microfluidics.
Dr. Bo Zhang
Guest Editor
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. Surfaces is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1600 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.
Keywords
- superhydrophobic surface
- wetting
- fabrication
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
