Leaf vein-inspired transparent superhydrophobic coatings with high stability

Transparent superhydrophobic coatings hold significant potential for applications in architectural glass and optoelectronic devices. However, obtaining good compatibility between highly transparent, low haze and excellent mechanical stability in a superhydrophobicity coating remains a significant challenge. Inspired by the natural protection mechanism of the hierarchical structure of leaf veins, we have designed and fabricated transparent superhydrophobic coatings with highly detailed hierarchical vein-like ridges via a template-assisted multi-mask photolithography and inverted mold process combined with a spraying technique. The coated glass exhibited not only outstanding superhydrophobicity, with contact angle ⩾ 160° and sliding angle ⩽ 1.5° but also a high optical transmittance of 88.4% and a low haze of 8.1%, as well as remarkable mechanical durability and weather resistance.