Superhydrophobic hybrid nanocomposites: Mapping the current research trends and recent advances

The present work provides a detailed understanding of the most recent progress in superhydrophobic hybrid nanocomposites (SHN) with their preparation, properties and potential applications. Uniquely in-built structural qualities of SHN are due to tailored synthesis of chemical methodologies and innovation in device fabrications that are anticipated to keep evolving even in the coming generations. The exterior of a typical super and/or ultrahydrophobic can prevent water droplets from settling on itself resulting in minimum wettability in such hybrid nanocomposites. An insightful overview of such hybrid nanocomposites detailing recent progress pertaining to applications in coating and surfaces is rarely reported. Herein, we reported on various fundamental aspects of synthesis methods, superhydrophobic properties and related phenomena. A detailed comparison between past and present preparation routes for design and development of superhydrophobic coatings is made while correlating it with surface wettability, morphological evolution, optoelectronics with their advanced applications in anticorrosion, antireflection, microfluidic devices, microreactors and liquid transportation.