Ashok Thapa, Maheswar Chaudhary and Professor Shalabh Maroo. Credit: Syracuse University
Syracuse University researchers have developed a new superhydrophobic surface which causes water to roll off after being tilted just 2 degrees. Superhydrophobic surfaces are often used for self-cleaning windows, medical tools, and waterproof clothing to name a few.
To develop their coating, which is described in a recent publication in the journal Surfaces and Interfaces, the researchers took soot from a wax candle flame and developed it into a durable coating offering superhydrophobic properties.
While other artificial superhydrophobic coatings do exist, they typically fail in harsh conditions such as heat and prolonged water exposure. As part of their work the team of engineers demonstrated their astonishingly robust coating which survived high speed water jets, chemical baths, saltwater, and even temperatures up to 650°F. The coating even survived a full month submerged underwater, ultimately emerging completely dry and intact.
"The magic comes from a clever combination of candle soot with oil-infused porous silica structure," said doctoral student Maheswar Chaudhary. "The porous structure holds the oil, which in turn holds the soot particles, making the surface superhydrophobic. We have shown this approach to work on both flat and curved surfaces, making it versatile for real-world applications. This isn't just about repelling water, it's about creating an easy-to-fabricate coating that truly survives real-world conditions."
Engineering Professor Shalabh C. Maroo sees the new discovery as a reminder that new innovations do not always require turning to exotic ingredients.
"Even something as ordinary as a wax candle can inspire groundbreaking ideas," he says. "We've turned candle soot into science, blending simple materials with simple nanoscale engineering to open up exciting possibilities for technology and sustainability."