Transparent Omniphobic Coating with Glass-Like Wear Resistance and Polymer-Like Bendability

Transparent omniphobic or anti-smudge coatings with glass-like wear resistance and polymer-like bendability have many potential applications but there are no reports of such materials. We Report herein a molecular composite possessing these properties. The composite is prepared via the photo-initiated ring-opening polymerization of the epoxide rings of glycidyloxypropyl polyhedral silsesquioxane (GPOSS). While the desired hardness is provided by the silica core, the flexibility is imparted by the glycidyloxypropyl network. Oil and water repellency is achieved without adversely affecting the other properties by incorporating a low-surface-tension liquid lubricant poly(dimethyl siloxane). On the final coating, various organic solvents and water readily and cleanly glide, while complex fluids, such as ink and paint facilely contract. These properties are retained after an initially flat coating sample is rolled into a U-shape 500 times or is abraded with steel wool.