A nature-inspired strategy towards superhydrophobic wood

Plant polyphenols are a type of natural substance widely present in plants, which can form three-dimensional metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) via chelation with metal ions, thereby enabling the construction of functional material coatings. Herein, a novel and straightforward approach was employed to prepare superhydrophobic wood by utilizing a nature-inspired strategy. The main component of wood polyphenols, rutin, was employed to create MPNs with various metal ions (Fe(III), Fe(II), Al(III), and Cu(II)), resulting in the formation of a rough hierarchical structure on the wood surface, followed by a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modification. Polyphenol-free wood was impregnated with rutin solution and then complexed with metal ions. Taking rutin-Fe(III)-based superhydrophobic poplar as an example, it showed excellent performance in self-cleaning and anti-fouling. In addition, it showed excellent resistance to acids and alkalis and organic solution impregnation. The superhydrophobic coating maintained robust mechanical durability under the action of long-term placement, ultrasonic washing, tape peeling and sandpaper grinding as well. We believe that the superhydrophobic wood modified with rutin–metal complexes and PDMS is considered environmentally friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and easily scalable. Thus, it exhibits immense potential for practical applications in indoor and outdoor decoration as well as building materials.