Nanoparticle Diffusion and Fixation for the Preparation of Durable Transparent Superhydrophobic Coatings

Dueto the size limitation of nanostructures in transparent superhydrophobic(TS) coatings, it is a formidable challenge to construct a TS coatingwith acceptable mechanical durability. The matrix should connect withnanoparticles and the substrate with more chemical bonds to providethe essential mechanical robustness of the coating layer. In thisstudy, methylacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MEMO) that has threeSi-OCH3 groups was polymerized to PMEMO and usedas an ideal adhesive for the fabrication of durabletransparent superhydrophobic (DTS) coatings. Hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles were fixed through diffusion into the swollen PMEMOnetwork to avoid the micro-roughness caused by agglomeration. Thelight transmission of the glass slide after coating with PMEMO/SiO2 was 89.24%. The coating layer maintained its superhydrophobicitywith the impact resistance of 160 g of sand and 4.6 m/s water jetfor 360 s and heat treatment under 200 degrees C. The green, non-toxic,and non-fluorinated coating preparation method is universal and scalable,which has promising and large-scale application prospects.

Automated summary

In this study, a durable transparent superhydrophobic (DTS) coating was fabricated using methylacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MEMO) polymerized to PMEMO as an adhesive. Hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles were fixed in the swollen PMEMO network to prevent micro-roughness caused by aggregation. The coating layer exhibited high light transmission and maintained its superhydrophobicity even under impact and heat treatment. This preparation method is universal and scalable, with promising application prospects.