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Published on: July 20, 2016
Bioinspired superhydrophobic wood: From biomass functionalization to multifunctional applications
Jingjing Liu1, Hui Wang2, Shuangmin Fu1
1Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China.
Bioresource Technology
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Bioinspired superhydrophobic wood leverages natural structures for advanced materials. This review details scalable fabrication methods and multifunctional applications, offering a roadmap for sustainable, high-performance biomass materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomass Utilization
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Wood's hierarchical structure (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) offers potential for functional materials.
- Existing reviews often lack a systematic link between wood's structure, surface modification, and multifunctional performance.
- A comprehensive approach is needed to utilize wood's natural properties for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a systematic analysis of bioinspired superhydrophobic wood materials.
- To link multi-scale structural features with surface modification strategies and performance in real-world environments.
- To establish a framework for developing high-performance, biomass-based superhydrophobic materials aligned with circular bioeconomy goals.
Main Methods:
- Review of scalable fabrication techniques: in-situ growth, sol-gel processing, green coating methods.
- Analysis of structure-property-application relationships in superhydrophobic wood.
- Exploration of multifunctional properties: flame retardancy, photothermal conversion, antimicrobial performance.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of efficient utilization of wood's porosity and anisotropy for robust superhydrophobic surfaces.
- Highlighting applications in energy-efficient building materials, solar water purification, and adaptive systems.
- Identification of future directions, including AI-assisted design and stimulus-responsive systems.
Conclusions:
- Bioinspired superhydrophobic wood offers a versatile platform for advanced functional materials.
- Scalable fabrication and multifunctional enhancements position wood as a key resource for sustainable technologies.
- This review provides a conceptual roadmap for future research and development in biomass-based superhydrophobic materials.
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