Decorative, hydrophobic sol-gel coatings densified using near-infrared radiation

► Pigmented hydrophobic coatings generated using black pigments dispersed in sol. ► NIR radiation absorbing pigmented coatings could be cured rapidly using NIR. ► Nanosized NIR absorbing black pigment particles create a dual scale roughness. ► Dual scale roughness induces improved hydrophobicity of coatings. ► Improved hydrophobicity explained on basis of Cassie-Baxter wetting model.