Energy harvesting meets superhydrophobic surfaces: Recent advances

Abstract

Ambient energy harvesting from various renewable sources, including solar, thermal, wave, droplet, wind, and biomechanical energy, presents a promising solution for sustainable power generation and battery-free Internet of Things networks. However, these technologies face significant challenges in energy conversion efficiency and device durability due to environmental factors such as surface contamination, moisture accumulation, and biofouling. Superhydrophobic surfaces address these limitations through their unique properties of self-cleaning, water-repellent, and anti-bacterial, significantly enhancing energy harvesting performance and reliability. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in superhydrophobic surface-enhanced energy harvesting devices based on various mechanisms, including photovoltaics, electromagnetism, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, thermoelectricity, and electrical double-layer dynamics. We first provide an updated overview of superhydrophobic surfaces, including their design strategies and fabrication methods. Then, we offer a comprehensive summary of their role in optimizing various energy harvesting devices. Finally, we discuss prospective challenges, potential solutions, and recommendations for future developments within this emerging interdisciplinary field.

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2026 The Author(s). Droplet published by Jilin University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.