Fabrication of superhydrophobic spherical-like α-FeOOH films on the wood surface by a hydrothermal method

► The superhydrophobic wood surface was obtained by a hydrothermal reaction process. ► The wood surface has been transformed from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. ► Morphology of α-FeOOH particles depends on duration of hydrothermal reaction process. ► The superhydrophobic wood surface showed good stability in air and corrosive liquid. ► The superhydrophobic treatment may contribute to enlarge the use of wood resource.