Research Advances and Future Perspectives of Superhydrophobic Coatings in Sports Equipment Applications

Abstract

In recent years, superhydrophobic coatings have attracted much attention due to their excellent water repellency and self-cleaning properties. They have broad application prospects in improving the performance and durability of sports equipment (such as clothing, footwear, balls, and protective equipment). Recent studies have shown that these coatings can improve water repellency, reduce friction, enhance traction, and extend the service life of sports equipment by preventing water absorption and reducing dirt accumulation. Despite their potential, the practical application of superhydrophobic coatings still faces many challenges, including difficulties in coating preparation, limited long-term durability, and high production costs that prevent large-scale production. This paper begins with an analysis of the current status of superhydrophobic coatings in sports equipment, from theory to application, from the basic Young's model to the novel Contact Line Pinning Model, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of several methods in some aspects, focusing on the most commonly used preparation methods, including the template method, the gel-gel method, the deposition method, etc., and objectively analyzing the preparation methods to match the appropriate sports equipment applications. Despite these advances, there are still significant gaps in understanding the long-term performance of these coatings under real-world conditions. The paper concludes by identifying future research directions, with a focus on improving wear resistance, improving cost-effectiveness, and assessing the environmental impact of these materials. These insights will contribute to the continued development and application of superhydrophobic coatings in the field of sports equipment.

Keywords: material applications; self-cleaning capabilities; sports equipment; superhydrophobic coatings; water-repellent properties.

Figure 1

Young’s Model.

Figure 2

Wenzel’s Model.

Figure 3

Cassie–Baxter’s Model.

Figure 4

Fabrication of superhydrophobic anti-icing coatings through template and deposition methods [49].

Figure 5

Preparation process of superhydrophobic flexible tubes [50].

Figure 6

Schematic diagram of the preparation, mechanism, and testing of superhydrophobic coatings on glass using the sol-gel process [53].

Figure 7

Preparation process of superhydrophobic flexible tubes [33].

Figure 8

Preparation of a wear-resistant, superhydrophobic SiO₂/silicone-modified polyurethane composite coating through a two-step spraying method [63].

Figure 9

A super-hydrophobic surface prepared by lanthanide oxide ceramic deposition through the PS-PVD process [68].

Figure 10

Process and contact angle testing of superhydrophobic coatings prepared by vapor deposition method [73].

Figure 11

(a): Process and mechanism of preparing superhydrophobic coatings by vapor deposition method [74]. (b): UV-durable superhydrophobic ZnO/SiO₂ nanorod arrays on an aluminum substrate using catalyst-free chemical vapor deposition and their corrosion performance [75].

Figure 12

SLS-type 3D printing strategy [56].

Figure 13

Plasma treatment toward electrically conductive and superhydrophobic cotton fibers by in situ preparation of polypyrrole and silver nanoparticles [89].

Figure 14

Chemical structures of (a) PU and (b) HDI, APTES. (c) Preparation of PU/SiO₂ waterproof, breathable, and infrared-invisible nanofibrous membranes (schematic) [99].

Figure 15

Self-cleaning characteristics of the (a) pristine cotton fabric and (b) SA/CeO₂-cotton fabric against fine dust particles.

Figure 16

(a) Superhydrophobic coatings prepared using EP and modified ZnO. (b) Preparation of superhydrophobic zinc oxide particles. (c) Preparation process of superhydrophobic zinc oxide coating [121].

Figure 17

Sailing experiments on a model boat coated by prepared superhydrophobic coating [123]. (a) Schematic diagram of sailing experiments. (b) Optical images of model ships with uncoated and SHB coated boat (with contact angle measurement inset). (c) Microstructure of air layer. (d) Drag reduction mechanism of SHB coating at underwater gas-water interface. (e) Sailing test of the boat with and without SHB coating. (f) Left: moving velocity of different model boats (from left to right: Uncoated boat, boat modified with SHB coatings before abrasion and after abrasion); right: corresponding to the drag reduction rate of the SHB-coated boat before and after abrasion. The error bars denote standard deviations, obtained from three test results for each sample.