Roles of adhesives in forming mechanically robust superhydrophobic coatings

Superhydrophobic coatings, renowned for their remarkable water repellence, have attracted considerable attention for diverse applications, but their practical application is often hindered by insufficient mechanical robustness. Among various strategies proposed to address this limitation, the use of adhesives has emerged as a highly promising approach, offering advantages such as low cost, facile processing, and compatibility with diverse substrates. This review systematically summarizes the enhancement mechanisms, recent research progress, commercialization status, and common testing methods for the mechanical robustness of mechanically robust superhydrophobic coatings based on adhesives. First, the fundamental mechanisms by which adhesives enhance mechanical robustness, including interfacial adhesion enhancement, structural protection, and functional augmentation, are thoroughly analyzed. Next, recent advances in mechanically robust superhydrophobic coatings based on different types of adhesives, are reviewed. Subsequently, this review summarizes recent developments in mechanically robust superhydrophobic coatings prepared via different adhesive application methods. Additionally, the review summarizes the commercial products currently available, analyzing mechanical robustness and highlighting the most performant products. The common testing methods for the mechanical robustness of superhydrophobic coatings are also introduced. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced in this field and outline potential research directions to address the current limitations. This review aims to provide valuable guidance for the rational design of high-performance mechanically robust superhydrophobic coatings based on adhesives.