Hydrophobic Surface Research Articles

Preventive Protection of Earth Heritage: Influence of Silane Application Methods on Surface Effectiveness of Consolidation– Pingyao Rammed Earth Wall, a World Heritage Site

ABSTRACT The surface soil at rammed earth sites exhibits low mechanical strength, high water susceptibility, and prevalent soil stripping deterioration.These deteriorating conditions urgently require preventive stabilization measures.This study, focusing on the rammed earth inner walls of Pingyao Ancient City — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, evaluates the critical role of application methods in earthen site conservation by comparative analysis of surface-reinforced specimens treated with four silane coupling agents and three application methods. Hydrophobicity, water resistance, and mechanical property variations were systematically assessed to elucidate method-dependent efficacy. Adhering to the repairing the old as old principle, colorimetric variation and permeability analyses were conducted. Microstructural and pore characteristic alterations after reinforcement were further investigated through scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that spray-reinforced specimens exhibited optimal performance among all four materials, demonstrating uniform reinforcement efficacy, maximal water resistance, minimal chromatic and permeability deviations. Capillary absorption reinforcement, while yielding limited surface hydrophobicity, enhanced internal structural integrity via capillary-driven material migration, achieving balanced permeability and mechanical improvement. These findings underscore spray reinforcement as the premier strategy for surface protection, whereas capillary absorption proves viable for subsurface consolidation in some constrained engineering contexts.

Enhancing Polycaprolactone with Levulinic Acid-Extracted Lignin: Toward Sustainable Bio-Based Polymer Blends

The growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified the search for biodegradable polymers. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), though biodegradable, is fossil-derived. In this study, a novel lignin extracted from pine wood using a green solvent was incorporated into PCL and compared with commercial lignins (dealkaline, alkaline, and lignosulfonate). The lignin additions imparted antioxidant properties, enhanced thermal stability, and promoted circular economy goals through lignin valorization. Notably, the green-extracted lignin showed superior compatibility with PCL when compared with commercial lignins, as evidenced by lower water uptake and solubility, and improved surface hydrophobicity (higher contact angle). Although the addition of lignin reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break, it greatly increased the PCL radical scavenging activity (DPPH) from 8 ± 1% of neat PCL to 94.8 ± 0.3% when 20wt% of lignin-LA was added. Among the tested lignins, lignin-LA stands out as the most promising candidate to be applied as a functional additive in biodegradable polymer blends and composites for advanced sustainable applications. Not only given its intrinsically higher sustainability but also due to its capacity for improving the thermal properties of PCL–lignin blends.

Passivation of trypsin inhibitors in soybean protein concentrate modulates the structural and functional properties of the soya proteins.

Passivation of trypsin inhibitors in soybean protein concentrate modulates the structural and functional properties of the soya proteins.

Breathable Nanorod-Embedded Hierarchical Photothermal Coatings with Anti-Soiling and Safe Thermal Regulation for Efficient Anti-Icing and De-Icing.

Photothermal hydrophobic surfaces offer a promising solution for mitigating ice hazards under low-temperature, high-humidity conditions via solar-driven de-icing. However, surface contamination can compromise photothermal efficiency, while fabric-applicable coatings must also provide flexibility, breathability, durability, and safe thermal regulation (≈50°C). Current systems require further optimization to balance these demands for practical use. Here, a nanorod-embedded photothermal strategy is presented that integrates superhydrophobicity, anti-icing, and de-icing capabilities with environmental robustness in fabrics. The composite comprises a polypyrrole-loaded cellulose nanocrystal inner layer for photothermal conversion and a fluoroalkyl silane-modified silica top layer for superhydrophobicity. The synergy between hierarchical micro-nano roughness and photothermal activation enables an "external repellency, internal heating" mechanism, effectively overcoming the limitations of passive coatings. This dual-functional architecture achieves a solar absorption rate of 97.2% and reaches 53.1°C under 100mWcm⁻2 irradiation, while remaining safe for human contact and maintaining breathability (moisture permeability: 6.86 × 103g·m⁻2·d⁻¹). It delays freezing by 417s at -15°C and reduces the melting time of an ice cube by 53.2% under 1-sun illumination. The fabric exhibits appreciable chemical stability, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and robustness under extreme conditions, ensuring long-term performance. This work offers a scalable solution for outdoor and personal protective equipment in cold environments.

Fexofenadine HCl enhances growth, biofilm, and lactic acid production of Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum: implications for allergy treatment

BackgroundIt is evident that various drugs influence the gut microbiota, yet the precise mechanism driving these effects remain ambiguous. Considering the growing recognition of gut microbiota’s role in health and disease, it is important to explore how commonly used drugs, such as antihistamines, may alter microbial composition and function. Histamine, an essential interkingdom signaling molecule, shapes bacterial virulence, biofilm formation, and immune regulation. However, the effects of antihistamines on bacterial colonization are mostly unknown. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of antihistamine exposure on critical factors which affect the pathogenicity and colonization of selected gut bacterial species, such as growth, biofilm formation, and adherence to cell lines, at intestinal concentrations. If antihistamines influence bacterial metabolism or composition, they may consequently affect Short Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) production, which could have downstream effects on gut homeostasis and immune function. Specifically, we examined the impact of three antihistamines – fexofenadine HCl, cyproheptadine HCl, and desloratadine –on bacteria from the four dominant gut phyla: Bifidobacterium longum, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Bacteroides fragilis, and Escherichia coli.ResultsOur results showed that cyproheptadine HCl and desloratadine inhibited the growth of all tested bacteria, whereas fexofenadine HCl promoted the growth of all species except B. longum. Furthermore, cyproheptadine HCl and desloratadine reduced the biofilm-forming capacity of these bacterial species and altered their effects on adherence to Caco-2/HT-29 cell lines aligning with changes in cell surface hydrophobicity: increased cell surface hydrophobicity correlated with greater bacterial adherence to surfaces. In contrast, fexofenadine HCl enhanced biofilm formation and adherence of B. longum and L. reuterii in Caco-2/HT-29 co-cultures. It also led to increased production of lactic and propionic acids, with a statistically significant increase observed in acetic acid levels (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, our findings suggest that fexofenadine HCl, unlike cyproheptadine HCl and desloratadine, supports the growth, and colonization of probiotic bacteria such as L. reuteri and B. longum with potential anti allergic benefits, and enhancing their SCFA production. Conversely, cyproheptadine HCl and desloratadine suppressed bacterial growth, hinting at potential antimicrobial properties that may warrant exploration for drug repurposing.

An Efficient Fog Collection Origami Janus Membrane for Rapid Directional Water Transport and Omnidirectional Fog Harvesting.

Existing Janus fog harvesting technologies struggle to achieve efficient and continuous fog collection across various fog flow directions. In this work, we developed a Janus fog harvesting (JHL) system, characterized by a boundary-free Janus system formed by selective modification with octadecanethiol, creating a pair of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. The system features a 3D origami macrostructure composed of scallop arrays and shaped like an improved trumpet flower. The wettability gradient Janus system enables rapid droplet capture and ultrafast absorption. The multiple parallel and dual-asymmetric 3D Kirigami superhydrophilic channels facilitate high-speed, directional, and long-range liquid transport. These mechanisms work seamlessly together to keep both the superhydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces dry at all times. As a result, our JHL achieves a fog harvesting efficiency as high as 0.83 g·cm-2·min-1, which is 3 times that of the original sample. Moreover, our improved trumpet-shaped 3D structure extends the Janus design concept from traditional membrane materials to spatial membrane configurations, making it suitable for omnidirectional fog harvesting in any fog flow environment.

Composites of Pea Protein Nanofibril and Epigallocatechin Gallate: Formation Mechanism, Structural Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity

The EGCG/PPN composite, prepared by combining pea protein nanofibrils (PPNs) with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), could be used as a multifunctional nanocarrier. Compared to pea protein isolate (PPI), EGCG/PPN composites exhibited remarkably higher turbidity and zeta potential, along with similar UV spectra. Intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, ThT fluorescence spectroscopy, and surface hydrophobicity analysis suggested that the interactions between EGCG and PPN were primarily driven by hydrophobic forces. UV spectra indicated that the microenvironment of amino acid residues in the tertiary structure of the protein changes upon complexation, and circular dichroism (CD) revealed that the incorporation of EGCG increases the β-sheet content in the protein’s secondary structure. Analyses of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, as well as reducing power, demonstrated that the synergistic effect between EGCG and PPN did not hinder the inherent antioxidant properties of EGCG but rather enhanced them significantly. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the addition of EGCG reconstructed the fibril morphology, thereby affecting the properties of PPNs. Overall, the composite fabricated through the interaction between PPN and EGCG shows great potential as a nanocarrier in the processing of functional foods.

Dual-functional coatings with hydrophobic and anti-corrosive properties on Mg alloys via PEO and CoFe-LDH/myristic acid modification

This work presents a dual-functional coating strategy for AZ31 magnesium alloy, designed to achieve hydrophobic and anti-corrosive properties through plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), CoFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) deposition, and myristic acid surface modification. The PEO process generated a porous oxide base layer, which served as a template for the hydrothermal growth of LDH, enhancing surface uniformity and structural integrity. Subsequent dual post-treatment with myristic acid and cobalt nitrate led to the in situ formation of cobalt myristate, forming a chemically bonded hydrophobic barrier atop the LDH layer. This top layer significantly improved surface hydrophobicity, achieving a contact angle of ~ 131°, compared to ~ 113.5° for LDH(M) and ~ 81.3° for the PEO-only sample. Electrochemical testing revealed that the cobalt myristate-modified coating exhibited the lowest corrosion current density (3.48 × 10−11 A/cm2) and the highest top layer impedance (3.81 × 107 Ω/cm2), confirming superior corrosion resistance. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the M-Co complex had a significantly reduced HOMO–LUMO gap (2.89 eV) compared to myristic acid (6.34 eV), indicating improved charge transfer ability. The M-Co complex also exhibited stronger adsorption on Co-CoFe LDH with a vertical adsorption energy of − 44.87 kcal/mol, highlighting its enhanced interaction with the surface. This multifunctional coating platform holds great promise for next-generation protective interfaces on lightweight magnesium substrates.

Advances in cancer therapy: a critical review of β-cyclodextrins conjugated nanoparticle delivery systems as molecularly targeted therapies.

Advances in cancer therapy: a critical review of β-cyclodextrins conjugated nanoparticle delivery systems as molecularly targeted therapies.

Assessing the impact of atmospheric cold plasma and microwave irradiation on activity, stability, kinetics, and structural changes of polygalacturonase.

Assessing the impact of atmospheric cold plasma and microwave irradiation on activity, stability, kinetics, and structural changes of polygalacturonase.

Orthogonal Multiple Hydrogen Bonds of Nucleobases Enable Precise Tunability of DNA-Polymer Nanostructures.

DNA-polymer nanostructures manifest enhanced stability and chemical diversity for various applications such as sensing, imaging, and immune modulation. However, the functionality of the hydrophobic polymer in the core is often disregarded, leading to limited property tunability of DNA-polymer nanostructures. Herein, we have successfully fabricated tunable DNA-polymer nanostructures by harnessing orthogonal multiple hydrogen bonds (MHBs) within both the core and shell domains. Distinct DNA-polymer nanostructures, consisting of hydrophobic nucleobase-containing polymers and hydrophilic DNAs, have been rationally designed and successfully constructed. The DNA-polymer nanostructures undergo the controlled morphological transformation triggered by hydrophobic nucleobase-containing polymers and surface functionalization by hydrophilic DNA chains. Owing to the heterogeneous backbone structures, distinct repeat unit spacing, and different hydrophilicity, the robust MHB interactions for complementary DNAs and nucleobase-containing polymers are highly selective and orthogonal. Most significantly, the reported core-driven morphological transformation and surface functionalization of the shell layer are general to expand the structural and properties tunability of DNA nanostructures with different DNA sequences. This work provides an efficient and novel route to precisely modulating DNA-polymer core-shell nanostructures by exploiting the underexplored hydrophobic core through orthogonal MHBs.

In vitro "determination" of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain L47-2 for safe probiotic use in gastrointestinal tract conditions

Backgrounds Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is a Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium known for its probiotic benefits, commonly found in fermented foods and mammalian gastrointestinal tracts. L. plantarum strain L47-2 was selected for its in vitro probiotic characteristics. Methods We investigated its antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria using the dual culture overlay method and assessed survival in a mimicked gastrointestinal tract by subjecting the bacteria to pH levels of 1.0–4.0 and bile salt concentrations of 0.1–0.5%. Adhesion to Caco-2 cells was also evaluated. Safety evaluations included phenotypic tests for antibiotic resistance and hemolytic activity, genotypic screening for virulence genes, and whole genome sequencing. Results After 4 hours, L47-2 survived well at pH 2.0 (57.0±3.6%) and 3.0 (66.3±2.5%), and maintained 35.0±3.0% survival in 0.4% bile salt. The L47-2 strain demonstrated antibacterial activity against gastrointestinal pathogens and exhibited safety as a probiotic strain. Notably, the L47-2 strain had high autoaggregation (76.3±3.2%) and coaggregation with specific pathogens ranging from 33.1 to 46.7%. Additionally, when compared to the assessed pathogens, the L47-2 strain showed the highest surface hydrophobicity, 68.4±0.4%. This strain exhibited potential adhesion to Caco-2 cells and inhibited the adhesion of all tested pathogens. It was most effective at inhibiting pathogenic bacterial strains rather than competing and displacing them. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between autoaggregation and coaggregation (P=0.037), autoaggregation and adhesion to Caco-2 cells (P=0.020), and hydrophobicity and adhesion to Caco-2 cells (P=0.016). Conclusions The findings shed light on this strain’s probiotic potential and safety, as well as its already established functional capabilities, together with its potential applications as a biopreservative in the food industry and for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Development of Alkali‐Modified Starch and Konjac Glucomannan Antibacterial Films Loaded With Cinnamon Essential Oil for Sustainable Food Packaging

ABSTRACTAlthough the starch‐based polysaccharide material has the advantages of environmental protection, its high hydrophilicity and low mechanical strength limit its practical application in the field of packaging. In this study, the biodegradable antibacterial composite films were successfully produced by modifying starch and konjac glucomannan (KGM) with sodium hydroxide and loading with cinnamon essential oil (CEO). The characterization results of the composite films showed that after alkali treatment of starch and KGM, a more dense network structure could be established with CEO through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Compared with the starch/KGM composite film, the tensile strength of the composite film was increased by 36%, the surface hydrophobicity was improved by 14.9%, and the ultraviolet transmittance was reduced by 20%. Furthermore, the incorporation of CEO endowed the films with remarkable antibacterial properties, enabling their application in strawberry preservation to extend postharvest shelf life. After 5 days of sealing, the strawberries showed no decay and maintained a vitamin C content of 135 mg/100 g. Accordingly, the modification of starch and KGM by sodium hydroxide could improve the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the composite film, which could be used as an effective strategy for designing biodegradable polysaccharide composite packaging materials.

Surface characterization and statistical texture analysis of fabricated large-area micro-textured surface: effects of tool materials and EDM parameters

The present study explores the impact of different tool electrode materials—mild steel (MS), copper (Cu), and tungsten copper (WCu)—on the electrical discharge machining (EDM) performance of H13 steel for functional micro-texturing, focusing on process optimization and comprehensive surface characterization. Surface properties and crater distribution vary with electrode material. WCu produces the smoothest surfaces and most uniform craters, followed by Cu, while MS results in rougher surfaces and irregular crater patterns. The tungsten-copper tool demonstrated the best performance for large-area micro-texturing, with the optimal parameter combination of 2 A peak current, 100 µs pulse on-time, and 40 V gap voltage, and the form tool featured square micro-pillars pattern. The EDM-textured surfaces exhibit micro-cracks, pockmarks, voids, and resolidified materials of the workpiece and tool. The adverse morphological change (regions of more significant recast deposition) of the patterned surfaces leads to a rougher surface profile that results in a higher variance in the texture pattern, as revealed by statistical texture analysis. The rougher surface profile, combined with material deposition from the tool, enhances the hydrophobicity of the textured surface—evident from the increase in water contact angle from 80.24° to 110.70° and glycerol contact angle from 66.53° to 77.60°. This is accompanied by a significant rise in the dispersive component of surface energy, promoting better interaction with non-polar or weakly polar fluids while reducing interaction or Work of adhesion with polar fluids like water, significantly improving the corrosion resistance of the patterned die surfaces.

Influence behavior of kaolinite and illite on flotation separation of pyrite from high-sulfur bauxite

Flotation separation of pyrite from high-sulfur bauxite remains challenging because of its high clay mineral content. To investigate the influence mechanisms of major clay minerals on pyrite flotation in high-sulfur bauxite, flotation tests were conducted under various conditions. Mineral liberation analysis revealed that kaolinite and illite collectively constitute ~95% of the clay minerals in a Henan high-sulfur bauxite ore. Flotation tests demonstrated their differential effects under acidic/alkaline conditions: In acidic pulp with 1×10⁻³ mol/L sodium butyl xanthate (SBX), the actual recovery (εa) of kaolinite/illite-pyrite pulp was 10% lower than the theoretical recovery (εT). Conversely, under alkaline conditions, εa exceeded εT by 15-20%. Analysis showed that under acidic conditions, opposite surface charges between kaolinite/illite and pyrite caused electrostatic adsorption, occupying SBX adsorption sites on pyrite. This reduced pyrite’s surface hydrophobicity and hindered hydrophobic agglomeration. Additionally, fine kaolinite/illite particles coated pyrite surfaces, blocking SBX adsorption and weakening collection efficiency. Under alkaline conditions, dissolved substances from kaolinite/illite inhibited hydrophilic substance formation on pyrite surfaces, freeing more SBX adsorption sites. Furthermore, some kaolinite/illite particles adsorbed onto pyrite surfaces and floated as "carriers" with pyrite, resulting in higher εa than εT in alkaline environments.

Fermentation-induced modifications to the structural, surface, and functional properties of quinoa proteins

Abstract This research study investigates the relationship between the structural characteristics, water solubility, and protein digestibility of quinoa proteins (QPs) during Lactiplantibacillus plantarum fermentation. The fermentation process induces structural modifications in QPs, thereby enhancing their surface properties and functional attributes. Using advanced analytical techniques, such as ultraviolet, fluorescence, and FT-IR spectra, it has been demonstrated that fermented QPs exhibit significant structural changes (P &lt; 0.05) compared to unfermented QPs. Notably, fermentation significantly increases the digestibility of QPs from 78.13 to 85.24%, thereby enhancing their nutritional value. Furthermore, surface properties undergo modifications, with a decrease in surface charge from −32.82 to −39.63 and a reduction in surface hydrophobicity from 580 to 382 a.u. These findings underscore the transformative impact of L. plantarum fermentation on QPs, resulting in improved digestibility, modifications in protein structure, and enhanced nutritional benefits. Further research on water kefir-based fermentation is needed to optimize its quality.

Antibacterial Activities of Prenylated Flavonoids from Sophora flavences against Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae.

The increasing resistance of phytopathogenic bacteria to chemical pesticides has underscored the urgent need for novel bactericidal agents. Sophora flavescens produces a wide range of secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities. Here, eight prenylated flavonoids were evaluated for the activity against phytopathogenic bacteria. Among the compounds tested, sophoraflavanone G (SFG) demonstrated broad-spectrum activity, showing a MIC50 of 1.56 μg/mL against Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo). Subsequently, the mechanism of SFG on Xoo was initially explored. SFG inhibited biofilm formation and metabolic activity by reducing the production of xanthomonadins and exopolysaccharides as well as decreasing extracellular enzyme activity and surface hydrophobicity. It also affected chemotaxis by down-regulating the genes involved in the chemotaxis of Xoo, which decreased the motility of the flagellum. Furthermore, SFG induced the production of ROS, reduced ATP generation, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and ultimately triggered apoptosis. Therefore, SFG is expected to be a lead compound in the development of bactericidal agents for plants.

Effects of different environmental stresses on cell surface hydrophobicity of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and propionibacteria

BackgroundProbiotic adhesion to intestinal mucosa benefits health and is considered a fundamental property of probiotic bacteria; hydrophobicity is a screening parameter to assess adhesion. This study aimed at evaluating changes in the cell surface hydrophobicity of 10 different functional strains or starter cultures in response to various intrinsic and extrinsic factors.ResultsFollowing an initial screening, pH, temperature, and salt (NaCl) concentration were selected as key variables and combined using a full factorial design. The data were initially analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, followed by a multiple regression analysis. Temperature and pH had a significant effect (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation observed between pH/temperature and hydrophobicity, while NaCl exhibited a negative correlation. In the second step, multiple regression analysis was used to further process the results, confirming the importance of considering interactions between factors, which could either positively or negatively influence cell surface hydrophobicity.ConclusionsHydrophobicity is strongly species- and strain-dependent; however, some general trends were observed. Specifically, an increase in hydrophobicity was associated with higher temperatures and alkaline pH (pH 8.0), while cell aging had a detrimental effect. These findings highlight the importance of cultural conditions in influencing certain properties of functional microorganisms.

Storage of Titanium Dental Implants in Ozone Nanobubble Water Retards Biological Aging and Enhances Osseointegration: An In Vivo Study.

The biological aging of titanium implants, marked by increased surface hydrophobicity and organic contamination, reduces bioactivity and delays osseointegration. A major challenge in implant dentistry is determining how to preserve surface hydrophilicity during storage, as conventional atmospheric conditions accelerate surface degradation. This pilot in vivo study aimed to evaluate ozone nanobubble water (NBW3) as a storage medium to prevent biological aging and enhance the early-stage osseointegration of glow discharge-treated titanium implants. Screw-type implants were stored in either NBW3 or atmospheric conditions and then implanted into femoral bone defects in Sprague Dawley rats. Removal torque testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and histological analysis of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were performed 14 and 28 days post-implantation. At 14 days, the NBW3-stored implants demonstrated significantly higher removal torque (2.08 ± 0.12 vs. 1.37 ± 0.20 N·cm), BIC (65.74 ± 12.65% vs. 44.04 ± 14.25%), and Ca/P atomic ratio (1.20 ± 0.32 vs. 1.00 ± 0.22) than the controls. These differences were not observed at 28 days, indicating NBW3's primary role in accelerating early osseointegration. The findings suggest that using NBW3 is a simple, effective approach to maintain implant surface bioactivity during storage, potentially improving clinical outcomes under early or immediate loading protocols.

Efficient and Fast Microplastic Separation From Aqueous Media by Electron Beam Assisted Developed Superhydrophobic Jute Fabric

ABSTRACTThe accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in various aquatic environments is an alarming problem in the modern world. Hydrophobic surfaces are potential candidates to remove microplastics from water. This work reports the development of a superhydrophobic jute fabric by electron beam radiation‐assisted chemical modification. The required extent of modification for the generation of superhydrophobicity is determined to be ~35 wt%, by varying surface wettability with the degree of modification. Study of tensile testing and surface morphology reveals no alteration of the basic structure and properties of the fabric after modification. The modified jute fabric is then employed for separating some common MPs from water and the successful removal of MPs has been demonstrated. The separation has been tried without solvents and with organic solvents. In the separation process, different organic solvents are found to facilitate the separation of MPs from water with a greater efficiency than the removal of MPs from the aqueous system without oil. In the presence of an oily solvent phase, instantaneous and highly efficient (&gt; 95%) separation of MPs from water is demonstrated, as the MPs are accumulated in the organic phase. The modified jute fabric is found to be satisfactorily reusable for up to 30 using cycles. This simple, one‐step, environment‐friendly process of preparation of superhydrophobic jute and its successful application in separating MPs from water may be a sustainable solution for microplastic‐related environmental issues.