Recent Progress of the Preparation and Application of Superhydrophobic Materials Based on Cotton Fabric

ABSTRACT Superhydrophobic materials based on cotton fabrics (SMCF) have shown advantages in addressing severe ecological problems, including the leaching of oil–water mixture. Published literatures on utilizing SMCFs for oil–water mixture separation have gradually increased in recent years. Therefore, this review elucidates the latest advancements in SMCFs. First, this review focuses on the effects of various low surface energy substances, including silicon‐containing, fluorine‐containing, and fluorinated and silicon‐free low surface energy substances, on the separation performance of SMCFs. Second, regarding the application domains, this article collates the current statuses of applications of SMCF in areas including oil–water separation, UV protection, and flame resistance, while also discussing key factors influencing the aforementioned properties. At last, this review envisions the future development trends of SMCFs, aspiring to promote continuous progress and development in this field.