Researchers from China have developed a bio-based, coral-like deposited coating using urushiol—a renewable plant-derived phenol—as the primary component. Published in Progress in Organic Coatings (Volume 200, March 2025), the study presents a simple yet powerful method for creating highly hydrophobic surfaces on various substrates. Reading tip: Functional CoatingsThe “EC Tech Report Functional Coatings” gives you an up-to-date bundle on automotive coatings with articles, videos and other handpicked content. Tunable surface properties and secondary modificationBeyond its water-repellent performance, the deposited layer allows for secondary surface modifications, enabling further chemical functionalisation. Coral-like urushiol-based deposited coating prepared by precipitation copolymerisation, Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 200, March 2025, 108995.