Fabrication of robust self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating by deposition of polymer layer on candle soot surface

A facile and inexpensive way have been developed to fabricate robust self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating by depositing polymer layer on candle soot (CS) surface using dip coating method. The stability and robustness of the CS deposited superhydrophobic surface is much weaker due to weak interaction and nonchemical bonding with the substrate. We introduced a thin layer of polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), and polyvinylidene fluoride on CS surface in order to improve its mechanical properties. The fabricated surfaces with the use of respective polymers exhibited water contact angles of nearly 170, 174, 175, and 171 degrees with sliding angles of 2, 1, 1, and 3 degrees, respectively. Although, all the polymers used in this work exhibited excellent superhydrophobic and self-cleaning surface property, we found that the PP deposited CS surface exhibit better stability against water jet hitting and water drop impact tests. The PP deposited CS surface almost maintained their surface properties even after 50 cycles of sandpaper abrasion and 20 cycles of adhesive tape peeling tests. The mechanical durability tests confirmed that PP is a better polymer to improve the long-term durability of CS surface. Therefore, this simple, time saving, and inexpensive method for fabricating superhydrophobic coating can be used for potential industrial application.

Automated summary

A facile and inexpensive method has been developed to fabricate robust self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating by depositing polymer layer on candle soot surface. Different polymers were used to improve the mechanical properties of the surface, and the PP deposited CS surface demonstrated better stability against water jet hitting and water drop impact tests. The mechanical durability tests confirmed that PP is a better polymer to improve the long-term durability of CS surface.