Superhydrophobic Surfaces in Flexible Electronic Applications: A Visual Analysis of Trends in Patents

Abstract: Surface wettability is the property of any surface when it encounters water. When the surface of electrical components is exposed to water, corrosion or insulation breakdown can occur, potentially leading to short circuits or device malfunction. From 2000 to 2023, flexible electronic devices with superhydrophobic properties have experienced increasing demand in the market. In the proposed work, a review and innovation mapping was conducted using the Espacenet database from 2000 to 2024, considering a total of 48,71,256 patents. In addition to the Espacenet database, Unified Patents and Lens.org were also utilized for citation analysis and the examination of patent indices. The findings demonstrate a significant upward digital trend in superhydrophobic flexible electronics, with versatile applications in the health, textile, nanotechnology, and electrical sectors. The key patent demonstrates the properties that are essential for fabricating superhydrophobic flexible electronics, i.e., self-cleaning, porous structure, conducting, bendable, and durable with Water Contact Angle (WCA) >150 ° and Sliding Angle (SA) <10 °. This article also discusses the classification of patents using Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) and International Patent Classification (IPC) codes, including main and subgroup categorizations, the language of publication, countries, inventors, and applicants who contributed to the progress of superhydrophobic coating for flexible electronics. The insights from this study provide a valuable foundation for future advancements in the field, enabling the development of more durable, efficient, and multifunctional flexible electronic devices. As the demand for water-resistant and high-performance electronics continues to grow, this research is a crucial reference for guiding innovation and fostering technological breakthroughs in wearable electronics, biomedical applications, and next-generation innovative materials.