Robust Waterborne Superhydrophobic Coatings with Reinforced Composite Interfaces

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Waterborne superhydrophobic coatings face challenges with stability and durability.
• Existing coatings often fail under harsh environmental conditions and mechanical stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel, robust waterborne superhydrophobic coating with enhanced interfacial properties.
• To improve the hydrophobic stability and mechanical durability of superhydrophobic coatings for practical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composite particles (CNTs-polydopamine&MgO) via dopamine self-polymerization and in situ MgO growth.
• Formation of phosphate networks (CP&MgO-AOP) using aluminum orthophosphate binder through dehydration polymerization.
• Characterization of interfacial interactions, mechanical properties (wear-resistance, adhesion), and hydrophobic stability under various conditions.

Main Results:

• The waterborne PTFE-CP&MgO-AOP coating exhibited exceptional wear-resistance (>1.27 × 10^5 cycles) and improved adhesion (grade 5 to 1).
• The coral-like structures on the coating surface effectively trapped a stable gas layer, ensuring superhydrophobicity.
• The coating maintained excellent hydrophobic stability under extreme conditions including strong acids/alkalis, high temperatures, and xenon lamp irradiation.

Conclusions:

• The developed interfacial enhancement strategy significantly improves the robustness of waterborne superhydrophobic coatings.
• This work provides a new approach for designing durable superhydrophobic surfaces for demanding applications.
• The robust coating demonstrates potential for widespread use where water repellency and durability are critical.