Exploiting Molecular Dynamics in Composite Coatings to Design Robust Super-Repellent Surfaces
Rui Guo1, Eirini Goudeli2, Wanjun Xu1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|January 8, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a novel composite coating using fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and cyanoacrylate glue. These super-repellent coatings offer robust adhesion and protection against corrosive and low-surface-tension liquids.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fluorinated motifs are key for repellent coatings.
- Effective substrate binding is crucial for coating stability.
- Understanding binding mechanisms is needed for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the binding of fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with a cyanoacrylate binder.
- To develop super-repellent coatings with enhanced stability and adhesion.
- To explore the potential of these coatings in various applications.
Main Methods:
- Computational and experimental evaluation of POSS-binder composite coatings.
- Surface energy and adhesion measurements.
- All-atom molecular dynamics simulations.
Main Results:
- Composite coatings exhibit ultralow surface energy (≈10 mJ m⁻²) and strong substrate adhesion (300-400 nN).
- Super-repellency achieved with contact angles >150° for corrosive and low-surface-tension liquids.
- Demonstrated tunable resistance to liquid penetration, cargo loading, and self-cleaning properties.
Conclusions:
- A facile and robust pathway for engineering advanced coatings by combining POSS and binders.
- Potential applications in chemical shielding, heat transfer, and liquid manipulation.
- Successful correlation of experimental data with theoretical predictions and simulations.
