Ultra-Durable, Internally Self-Sliding Superhydrophobic Coating for Underwater Protection Performance Evaluation

Developing highly durable coatings, endowing comprehensive protection capabilities of antifouling, drag reduction, and corrosion resistance in underwater settings, holds paramount significance for modern maritime undertakings. However, the inferior multifunctional compatibility and weak structural strength have proven to pose an extremely formidable challenge. Herein, this study reports an internally self-sliding coating that imparts liquid-repellence and ion permeation resistance without the necessity of a complex fabrication process. The key lies in combining integrated structure-function strategy with particle close-packing method of fluorine-grafted layered silicate particles. These particles demonstrate and exhibit a unique self-sliding property due to the weak van der Waals forces between the lamellae from the typical layered crystal structure. The durability and underwater protection of these coatings are clearly demonstrated by their outstanding mechanical wear resistance, a drag reduction efficiency of up to 25%, and the capacity to remain corrosion-free in saltwater for over 1000 h. Owing to the slippery frictional action and the closely packed surface microstructure, the coating demonstrates outstanding long-term stability and anti-permeability properties. This strategy offers a universal design framework for engineering ultra-durable coatings applicable to a diverse range of underwater comprehensive protection applications.