A Review on Recent Progress in Superhydrophobic Materials for Building Waterproofing

Abstract

Waterproofing is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and extending the longevity of buildings. However, traditional waterproofing materials possess limitations, including restricted durability, complex installation procedures, and environmental pollution, making them insufficient to meet the advanced waterproofing demands of modern buildings under complex conditions. Superhydrophobic materials, characterized by a water contact angle greater than 150° and a water sliding angle less than 10°, exhibit low surface energy, self-cleaning properties, and corrosion resistance due to their distinctive micro–nano structure and chemical composition, thereby serving as an innovative high-performance solution for building waterproofing and helping address some limitations of traditional waterproofing technologies. This review systematically elucidates the fundamental wetting theory and formation mechanisms of superhydrophobic materials, categorizes superhydrophobic materials used in building waterproofing mainly according to substrate type, discusses their modification strategies and key functional components, and conducts a detailed analysis of their application scenarios, performance advantages, and engineering test data in the waterproofing of concrete structures, steel structures, and building envelope materials (wood, stone, building coatings). Furthermore, this review analyzes the technical bottlenecks, performance limitations, and industrialization challenges associated with the current practical application of superhydrophobic building waterproofing materials, and outlines future development trends and engineering application strategies from the perspectives of material performance optimization, cost control, construction technology enhancement, and standardization.