Intelligent Bionic Design of Robust Superamphiphobic Fire Sensing EP/F-POS@Fe₃O₄ Coating on Wood Substrate.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Wood is a sustainable building material but susceptible to water, oil, and fire damage.
• Current protective coatings lack advanced functionalities for modern applications.
• Bionic inspiration can lead to novel material designs for enhanced wood properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust superamphiphobic coating for wood with fire-sensing capabilities.
• To improve the durability and protective properties of wood against environmental hazards.
• To create an intelligent coating for advanced wood applications in construction and furniture.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an epoxy resin (EP)/fluorinated polysiloxane (F-POS)@ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4) composite coating on wood.
• Optimization of EP content to engineer surface micronano reentrant structures for superamphobicity.
• Evaluation of coating durability through abrasion, tape peeling, impact, and scratching tests.
• Assessment of fire retardancy and active fire alarm functionality through flame exposure tests.

Main Results:

• The EP/F-POS@Fe3O4 coating achieved excellent superamphobicity with water/oil contact angles >150°.
• The coating demonstrated robust hydrophobic and oleophobic properties resistant to mechanical damage.
• The coating significantly reduced wood liquid absorption, confirming its protective barrier.
• The coating exhibited ultrafast (∼3 s) visual fire alarm response with excellent repeatability (>10 cycles).

Conclusions:

• The developed coating provides superior water, oil, and fire resistance for wood.
• The integrated fire-sensing capability offers a novel safety feature for wooden materials.
• This advanced coating shows significant potential for smart wooden architecture and furniture applications.