Issue 7, 2022

Dispersion-based, scalable fabrication of repellent superhydrophobic and liquid-infused coatings under ambient conditions

Abstract

Superhydrophobic and liquid-infused porous coatings provide effective repellency against contaminations and ensure efficient performance of surfaces in a wide range of applications. Conventional fabrication processes of such coatings typically require fluorinated components, toxic solvents, and elevated temperatures, and therefore contribute to environmental pollution. Here, we present a dispersion-based, fluorine-free coating system that produces highly repellent surface coatings at ambient conditions. Our system is based on aqueous dispersions of a polymeric binder and hydrophobic fumed silica particles, which upon drying self-organize into a micro- and nanostructured thin film with superhydrophobic properties, characterized by a water contact angle above 150° and a contact angle hysteresis below 10°. An additional dispersion-based coating step allows infusing these structures with silicone oil, thus producing a lubricant-infused repellent coating mimicking the pitcher plant. Water droplets on such coatings exhibit efficient repellency properties, characterized by low sliding angles (<5°) and contact angle hysteresis of water droplets (<10°). Our method provides a versatile, dispersion-based toolbox to create functional, repellent coatings in a simple, scalable and environmentally benign process.

Graphical abstract: Dispersion-based, scalable fabrication of repellent superhydrophobic and liquid-infused coatings under ambient conditions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Feb 2022
Accepted
07 Mar 2022
First published
14 Mar 2022

Green Chem., 2022,24, 3009-3016

Dispersion-based, scalable fabrication of repellent superhydrophobic and liquid-infused coatings under ambient conditions

T. Walter, T. Hein, M. Weichselgartner, K. Wommer, M. Aust and N. Vogel, Green Chem., 2022, 24, 3009 DOI: 10.1039/D2GC00579D

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