Recent advancements in design, development and demands of photothermal superhydrophobic materials

Photothermal materials are received considerable attention due to their broad solar absorption and effective light-to-heat conversion feature. Superhydrophobic surfaces are incorporated in diverse applications due to their excellent water repellent performance. With the development of advanced nanotechnology and sophisticated practical demands, the photothermal superhydrophobic materials (PSM) found appealing for exploring prospective and fascinating applications. In this review, we first introduce the recent development and progress in photothermal superhydrophobic materials, with a focus on the mechanism of light-to-heat conversion. The current status is thoroughly discussed, with a detailed catalogue such as metal-based, semiconductor-based, carbon-based, and polymer-based photothermal superhydrophobic materials. The applications of PSM are overviewed on various industrial sectors, including seawater desalination, passive anti-icing/active deicing, crude oil cleaning, photothermal disinfection and photothermal actuation. In the end, future opportunities and challenges in this fascinating research field are tentatively proposed.