Processing and Properties of a Graphene-Reinforced Superhydrophobic Siloxane

•A novel superhydrophobic siloxane was synthesized via alkali activation, silane hydrolysis, and co-condensation.•Nanographene reinforcement increases the superhydrophobic siloxane’s compressive strength from ∼ 0 to 34 MPa.•Ultrasonication improves the dispersion of graphene nanofillers, but induces cavitation, increases porosity (up to 40.7%), and hence lowers strength.•High-temperature curing at 50 or 75 °C reduces strength to ∼ 8 MPa due to thermal and acoustic cavitations.•Conventional processing techniques for strengthening hydrophilic materials may not be applicable to superhydrophobic counterparts.