Bio‐Inspired Enhanced Robust Superhydrophobic Surfaces by Binder Engineering

ABSTRACT Superhydrophobic surfaces inspired by the lotus leaf effect show considerable potential for anti‐icing and anti‐corrosion. However, limited durability remains a critical barrier to practical application. Inspired by lotus and nacre, this work constructs a dual‐biomimetic robust superhydrophobic surface using a simple yet effective “binder + particle” strategy. Through the systematic investigation and optimization of binder properties, the fabricated superhydrophobic surface exhibits durable hierarchical micro‐/nanostructures, where the binder encapsulates nanoparticles and forms chemically bonded solid‐bridge networks, distinct from the simple physical assembly reported previously. The coated surfaces maintain superhydrophobicity after 300 sandpaper abrasion cycles (60 m, 100 g load) and comprehensive tests (high‐speed water flow impact, sand impact, and repeated bending), superior to existing composite surfaces. Furthermore, the robust superhydrophobic surface also shows chemical stability, unaffected after prolonged immersion in acidic, alkaline, and saline solutions and achieves a four‐order‐of‐magnitude lower corrosion current density than the uncoated surface. In anti‐/deicing applications, the surface demonstrates reliable performance in repelling droplets and completely removing ice, and retains stable superhydrophobicity after ten repeated freeze‐thaw cycles. This study proposes a dual‐biomimetic strategy for constructing robust superhydrophobic surfaces through binder engineering, paving the way for scalable fabrication and practical application of durable multifunctional superhydrophobic surfaces.