Advancing SafeWax, A Bio‐Inspired Superhydrophobic Coating, Toward Sustainable and Climate‐Resilient Crop Protection

Abstract

ABSTRACT Climate change, drought, regulatory constraints, and the growing demand to minimize hazardous chemical pesticides necessitate sustainable crop protection technologies against biotic and abiotic stresses. We present the reformulation and environmental durability assessment of SafeWax, a bio‐inspired, biodegradable superhydrophobic (SH) coating based on fatty acids (FA). By evaluating agriculturally compliant solvents, we demonstrate that their volatility governs crystallization pathways, dictating hierarchical surface morphology and wetting performance of spray‐deposited coatings. Synchrotron X‐ray scattering reveals solvent‐dependent polymorphism and preferred crystallographic orientation, linking molecular packing to macroscopic surface functionality. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) emerged as the optimal solvent, offering agricultural compatibility and continuous spray deposition, while achieving exceptional superhydrophobicity with a contact angle (CA) of ∼165°and low hysteresis. Furthermore, the optimized coating maintains structural and functional stability under prolonged exposure to UV‐C radiation and field‐relevant temperature variations. Testing under humid conditions reveals strong condensation suppression and efficient water collection on leaves, thereby reducing surface moisture and potential fungal infection. Additionally, the coating provides passive thermal regulation through enhanced near‐infrared (NIR) reflectivity, reducing leaf temperatures under direct sunlight. These results link solvent‐controlled crystallization and crystallographic organization to functional performance, positioning SafeWax for environmentally compliant crop protection technology. Integrating sustainable materials design, solvent engineering, and environmental validation defines a pathway toward multifunctional, non‐toxic coatings that passively mitigate climate‐driven stress.