Nanostructured Materials for the Development of Superhydrophobic Coatings

This chapter describes the results of developing superhydrophobic coatings using porous ZnO nanostructures impregnated metal stearates and their applications. The porous ZnO nanostructures with a surface area of 9.7 m2/g and pores in the range from 200 to 400 nm have been prepared via precipitation cum calcination route. The superhydrophobic coatings comprising ZnO/metal stearate film have been deposited using a spray coating method. The developed superhydrophobic films possess a water contact angle of 161° that can be explained using the Cassie-Baxter model. The prepared films exhibited excellent floating properties and high load-bearing characteristics over a prolonged time. Additionally, the self-cleaning properties of the developed superhydrophobic films towards dust removal and self-cleaning urinary coatings are also demonstrated. This chapter collectively presented the novel applications of superhydrophobic coating in the development of biomedical coatings and applications in water surveillance and underwater robotics.