Fabrication of superhydrophobic wood surface by a sol-gel process

► The superhydrophobic wood surface was obtained via a sol-gel process of TEOS followed by a fluorination treatment of POTS. ► The silica nanoparticles deposited on the wood surface by the chemical bond between hydroxyl groups of wood surface and silica particles. ► POTS molecules combine with silica nanoparticles in the forming of covalent bond. ► The superhydrophobic treatment has transformed the wood surface from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic: the water CA of 164o and sliding angle less than 3o. ► The superhydrophobic wood surface shows a good stability in the air.