Durable superhydrophobic materials enabled by abrasion-triggered roughness regeneration

Abstract Roughness derived from micro/nanostructures is a prerequisite for achieving superhydrophobic surfaces. However, such surfaces are mechanically weak and readily abraded by abrasion. Retaining superhydrophobicity under abrasion remains the biggest challenge for developing superhydrophobic materials. In nature, the mammal skins can accommodate the external stress through efficient cross-scale structural deformations. Inspired by these biomechanics, we have created a durable superhydrophobic surface that takes abrasion itself as trigger to active cross-scale structural deformations from microscale to nanoscale, which makes immediate and in-situ self-repair to the damaged roughness, showing roughness regeneration capability with retained extraordinary superhydrophobicity after finger-wipe, hammer-punch, screwdriver-scratch, knife-cut and sandpaper abrasion. Guided by the revealed mechanisms, artificial superhydrophobic fabrics were fabricated that maintained superhydrophobicity and excellent water repellent properties after treated by various abrasions.