Waterborne superamphiphobic coatings with network structure for enhancing mechanical durability

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Superamphiphobic coatings offer significant potential in various engineering and biotechnology fields.
• Current superamphiphobic coatings face challenges with mechanical durability and environmental concerns due to organic solvent use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable, waterborne superamphiphobic coating with enhanced durability.
• To address the limitations of existing superamphiphobic coatings regarding mechanical abrasion and environmental impact.

Main Methods:

• A one-step spraying method was employed to create the waterborne superamphiphobic coating.
• Nano-silica was tailored for repellence within a waterborne resin, forming a protective network structure.
• Durability was tested against mechanical abrasion (725 cycles, 250 g load), oil-flow erosion, falling sand impact, chemical attack, and thermal treatment.

Main Results:

• The developed coating demonstrated robust superamphiphobicity, repelling a wide range of liquids.
• Mechanical durability was significantly improved, showing 3-25 times greater resistance to abrasion compared to conventional coatings.
• The coating exhibited excellent comprehensive durability, including resistance to various environmental and chemical stressors.

Conclusions:

• The waterborne superamphiphobic coating offers a sustainable and durable solution for applications requiring advanced wettability control.
• The strategy of tailoring nano-silica within a waterborne resin network is effective for enhancing coating durability.
• This approach provides a new pathway for designing environmentally friendly superamphiphobic coatings for practical, long-term use.