Superhydrophobic Cu-based materials with excellent durability, stability, and regenerability grounded of self-similarity

Abstract The superhydrophobic materials have generated wide interest due to the broad application prospect. However, the superhydrophobicity of artificial superhydrophobic surfaces is easy to lose and which has caused widespread concern. In this work, Cu-based superhydrophobic materials with self-similarity in texture and composition both externally and internally were fabricated using a facile and environment-friendly approach. The as-prepared Cu-based materials not only behave excellent superhydrophobicity, but also show outstanding repellence universality to various liquids, excellent UV resistance and storage stability, and wide pH toleration. More importantly, the as-prepared samples present outstanding superhydrophobicity regenerability once the superhydrophobicity has been destroyed by abrasion, scratch, or fouling. In addition, the Cu-based superhydrophobic materials take on excellent self-cleaning performance and pollutants are difficult to adhere onto the material surfaces. Even if some pollutants have adhered onto the surfaces, they can be cleaned up easily by rolling water droplets. Graphic abstract The superhydrophobic Cu-based materials with self-similarity in texture and composition both externally and internally were prepared. The as-prepared superhydrophobic materials show outstanding repellent universality to various liquids, excellent UV resistance and storage stability, wide pH toleration, and self-cleaning performance. More importantly, the block materials present outstanding superhydrophobicity regenerability once the surfaces have been destroyed by abrasion, scratch, or fouling.