A new perspective on durable superhydrophobic wood: Designing a non-wetting structure from the wood surface to the interior

Enhancing the stability and durability of superhydrophobic wood remains a significant challenge for its long-term application in various fields. This study presents a novel approach to developing durable superhydrophobic wood by regulating wood structure. The analyses of the mechanism revealed that Si-Ti@PDMS prepolymer infiltrated wood’s pores and cell walls, forming a highly cross-linked micro-nanoscale superhydrophobic coating extending from the exterior to the interior. The resulting superhydrophobic wood exhibited excellent hydrophobic characteristics on both its surface and various cutting surfaces. Furthermore, the water contact angles (WCA) measured on the various cut surfaces of the wood consistently exceeded 150°, thereby confirming its superhydrophobicity. Additionally, the water contact angles (WCA) at wood depth surfaces remained above 130°. This observation indicates that the non-wettability characteristic of the superhydrophobic wood extends from the surface to the interior. Consequently, even in the event of surface structural damage, the wood retains its robust hydrophobic performance. This study provides a theoretical foundation for regulating durable superhydrophobic wood, and it was beneficial to the efficient use of superhydrophobic wood in construction and furniture fields.