Superhydrophobic coatings in 2026: overview
Superhydrophobic coatings combine a textured surface with low surface energy to repel water. This can support self-cleaning, corrosion protection and reduced ice adhesion, but the structures that create water repellency can also wear or lose function under abrasion and harsh exposure. Current work therefore focuses on durability alongside repellency, while adding functions such as photothermal heating, self-healing and corrosion resistance.
Recent studies show that direction clearly. In October 2026, South China University of Technology reported a fluorine-free, ultra-slippery coating made by one-step calcination of UiO-66@PDMS; other work combined dual resins to balance wetting control and mechanical durability. September 2026 publications explored photothermal anti-icing through Fe3O4–CuS@C and introduced an argon gas film to improve performance in cold, humid conditions. Research is also moving toward repairable and recyclable materials, including self-healing graphene-oxide coatings and coatings made with recycled wind-turbine blade powder.
- 1Durability is central: Mechanical robustness is becoming a design requirement: researchers are trying to preserve water repellency after wear, damage and exposure to demanding environments.
- 2Active ice control: Photothermal coatings pair passive water repellency with sunlight-driven heating, aiming to address the limits of superhydrophobicity alone in anti-icing and de-icing.
- 3Fluorine-free options: Work on fluorine-free formulations and recycled feedstocks signals a shift toward coatings that combine performance with more sustainable material choices.
Top organizations working on superhydrophobic coatings
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to superhydrophobic coatings. Showing 7 of 640 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Nanoparticle composite coatings | PUB 78 · NEWS 3 | +25% | Recently, researchers developed a calcium-carbonate-based superhydrophobic coating for corrosion protection of brass and reported a mechanically and chemically stable photothermal coating for anti-icing and microwave absorption. |
| 2 | 
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research · China |
Nanoparticle composite coatings | PUB 57 | -32% | Recently, researchers reported a robust photothermal superhydrophobic coating for anti-icing and microwave absorption. Their work also includes ZIF-based coatings designed for anti-icing, corrosion protection, and use on different substrates. |
| 3 | 
Jilin University
Research · China |
Nanoparticle composite coatings | PAT 1 · PUB 41 NEWS 6 |
+29% | Recently, researchers developed fly-ash-based, fluoride-free superhydrophobic coatings for steel structures, combining surface functionality with fire protection. Other work explores aluminum nanoflower coatings and photothermal anti-icing surfaces. |
| 4 | 
Southwest Jiaotong University
Research · China |
Nanoparticle composite coatings | PUB 27 | -20% | Recently, researchers studied a photothermal superhydrophobic coating with a skeleton-supported hierarchical structure for de-icing asphalt pavement. Their work also examines modified-silica coatings for stain resistance and spray-applied coatings for underwater drag reduction. |
| 5 | 
Nanjing University of Science and Technology
Research · China |
General | PAT 2 · PUB 29 | +21% | Recently, researchers developed a concrete surface with a superhydrophobic photothermal coating for water repellency and anti-icing. Other work investigates durable coatings for corrosion protection, self-cleaning, and separation applications. |
| 6 | 
South China University of Technology
Research · China |
Nanoparticle composite coatings | PUB 26 | +17% | Recently, researchers prepared a fluorine-free, ultra-slippery superhydrophobic coating by calcining UiO-66 and PDMS. Related work uses electrodeposition followed by chemical dealloying to create superhydrophobic surfaces on magnesium alloy. |
| 7 | CU
China University of Petrolum
Research · China |
Nanoparticle composite coatings | PUB 15 · NEWS 6 | -83% | Researchers have developed a ZIF-67-modified superhydrophobic coating for zinc alloy, targeting reduced water adhesion and improved corrosion resistance. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Leading research centers
Leading research institutions 592 total
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers developed a calcium-carbonate-based superhydrophobic coating for corrosion protection of brass and reported a mechanically and chemically stable photothermal coating for anti-icing and microwave absorption.
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinaRecently, researchers reported a robust photothermal superhydrophobic coating for anti-icing and microwave absorption. Their work also includes ZIF-based coatings designed for anti-icing, corrosion protection, and use on different substrates.
- Jilin UniversityChinaRecently, researchers developed fly-ash-based, fluoride-free superhydrophobic coatings for steel structures, combining surface functionality with fire protection. Other work explores aluminum nanoflower coatings and photothermal anti-icing surfaces.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where superhydrophobic coatings innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 640 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanoparticle composite coatings | Nanoparticles create surface roughness and can add functions such as photothermal heating; the trade-off is vulnerability to particle loss, wear or weak bonding. | 334 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Nanchang Hangkong University, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology |
| Sol-gel and silane coatings | Sol-gel and silane chemistry forms thin, conformal layers with adjustable surface energy; brittleness and substrate compatibility can limit durability. | 247 |
Nanjing University of Science and Technology, University of TechnologyXian, Wuhan University of Technology |
| Polymeric low-energy coatings | Low-energy polymers provide water repellency and flexible coating matrices; abrasion, adhesion and reliance on fluorinated chemistries can be drawbacks. | 549 |
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Jilin University |
| Laser surface texturing | Laser texturing builds water-repellent micro- and nanoscale patterns directly into a surface; processing speed and equipment requirements can constrain scale-up. | 94 |
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Central South University, Hunan University |
| Chemical and electrochemical texturing | Chemical or electrochemical treatments create rough, water-repellent structures on substrates such as metals; process control and long-term wear resistance remain challenges. | 149 |
Shandong University of Science and Technology, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Recorded grant funding totals $8,347,958 across 22 grants since 2020. The listed funding rounds are not clearly linked to coating-specific projects, so they should not be read as sector investment.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Sep 2026Danyang, Jiangsu Sep 17, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - For wholesale distributors, optical chain stores, and procurement teams seeking a reliable Global Leading High Index Lenses Factory, navigating extensive optical…IssueWire | Press Release Distribution - Industrial
- Sep 2026From salt spray and icing to abrasion and UV exposure, the review maps the weak points that could determine whether water-repellent coatings survive demanding defense service. Paper: Durable superhydrophobic materials…AZoM.com - Materials and Engineering News Feed
- Aug 2026Newswise — Parans Paranthaman, an expert in solid-state chemistry and materials science at the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been named R&D World’s 2026 Researcher of the…Newswise Feature Channel: Chemistry
- Aug 2026Nature has mastered the art of repelling water, and scientists have long mimicked these strategies in manmade materials. But frost and freezing rain can quickly undermine even highly water-repellent surfaces. To tackle…Advanced Science News
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about superhydrophobic coatings
Which countries lead superhydrophobic coatings?
China leads with 5,659 documents, or 53.5% of the recorded total, followed by the United States with 1,758 documents and India with 835. The United Kingdom and South Korea are next, with 495 and 452 documents respectively. These figures describe recorded research and development activity, not commercial sales or manufacturing capacity.
Which universities and research centers lead superhydrophobic coatings research?
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS leads the listed organizations with 81 documents in the 24-month window, followed by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences with 57 and Jilin University with 48. Recent work includes corrosion-resistant calcium-carbonate coatings, photothermal anti-icing surfaces and fluoride-free coatings for steel structures.
How much funding has superhydrophobic coatings received?
The recorded total is $8,347,958 across 22 grants since 2020. This figure is grant funding, not a complete measure of private investment or company financing. The listed funding rounds include organizations and projects that are not clearly tied to superhydrophobic coatings, so they should not be treated as confirmed sector funding.
Who holds the most superhydrophobic coatings patents?
Universisty Of Georgia Research Foundation is the leading holder in the listed patent data, with 3 patents. Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Queen Mary, University of London, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and several other organizations have 2 each. The figures reflect the patent-holder list provided, not the full patent landscape.
Is superhydrophobic coatings patent activity growing?
No: patent activity is down 48.8% year over year, with 62 patents in the 24-month window. The comparison is between the last 12 months and the previous 12 months. Publication activity also declined, by 6.8% year over year, while overall activity growth is reported at 3.3%.
What are the latest developments in superhydrophobic coatings?
Recent work includes a fluorine-free, ultra-slippery coating from South China University of Technology, reported in October 2026, and photothermal anti-icing coatings reported in September 2026. Researchers are also testing argon gas films to improve anti-icing in cold, humid conditions and self-healing graphene-oxide coatings to address damage-related loss of water repellency.
What new methods or terms are emerging in superhydrophobic coatings?
Emerging terms include photo-thermal coatings, durability, oil/water separation, plastic coatings and snow and ice removal. Recent methods include one-step calcination of UiO-66@PDMS, dual-resin formulation, argon gas film incorporation and carbonation-induced in-situ hydrophobization. Together, these approaches target stronger durability, added functions and improved performance in specific environments.
What are the applications of superhydrophobic coatings?
Recorded applications include corrosion protection, oil-water separation, anti-icing and snow management, glass and solar surfaces, and textiles and fabrics. Corrosion protection has 522 documents, while oil-water separation has 297 and anti-icing and snow management has 194. Recent studies also target self-cleaning and photothermal de-icing.
Which superhydrophobic coatings startups are the most promising in 2026?
The facts list 0 startups, so they do not identify a leading superhydrophobic-coatings startup for 2026. The named activity is concentrated in research organizations, including Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Jilin University and South China University of Technology. For commercial partner selection, assess specific coating performance, substrate compatibility and durability rather than relying on a startup ranking.