Hydrophobic SiO2 in anti-fouling building application

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)-based materials have vast potential in construction materials due to their exceptional durability, water resistance, and chemical stability. The hydrophobic SiO2 can be obtained by adjusting its surface structure to endow buildings with outstanding anti-fouling capability, and significant advancements of superhydrophobic SiO2 have been achieved recently. For comprehensive understanding of their structural design and performance optimization, here we outline design aspects of hydrophobic SiO2-based materials covering various synthesis and preparation methods, nanofabrication technology, biomimetic microstructure fabrication, and surface chemical modification to improve the durable hydrophobicity of SiO2 against physical and chemical erosion in construction applications, providing a strategy for optimizing the modification strategies of SiO2-based materials. Finally, we synthesize current trends in the field to provide predictions for the future trajectory of SiO2-based building materials.