Hydrophobic materials and coatings: principles of design, properties and applications

Theoretical grounds of the design of hydrophobic materials and coatings and the specific features of the superhydrophobic state of the surface are discussed. The possibilities of the formation of various types of ordered textures that ensure high contact angles on the surfaces of hydrophobic materials and prerequisites for thermodynamic stability of the heterogeneous wetting regime of such surfaces are analysed. The main groups of methods actively used now to design materials and coatings with specified topology and structure and variable hydrophobicity are presented. The problems of ageing and degradation of superhydrophobic coatings are discussed. Examples of successful use of superhydrophobic materials in various fields of industry are given.