Progress in Antifogging Technology-from Surface Engineering to Functional Surfaces

Transparent materials (glasses, plastics, etc) are indispensable in daily-life, industry, scientific research and defense application. However, the application of these materials often meets fogging problems. Therefore, antifogging technology is indispensable, and has important potential application. This review introduces the mechanism of fogging and the principle of antifogging. Antifogging methods developed so far are comprehensively introduced in this review, including heating, superhydrophobic surface modification, superhydrophilic surface modification and photo-induced superhydrophilicity. Advantages and disadvantages of these methods are also discussed and summarized. Finally, a brief outlook of the future development trend of antifogging technology is given on the base of current research status.