Highly transparent, hydrophobic fluorinated polymethylsiloxane/silica organic-inorganic hybrids for anti-stain coating

Organic-inorganic hybrids were synthesized using polymethylhydrosiloxane, 2,2,3,4,4,4 hexafluorobutylmethacrylate and tetraethyl orthosilicate with a platinum catalyst. The resulting hybrids formed transparent thin films on glass substrate by spin coating. The functional groups, molecular structure, surface morphology and chemical composition of the hybrids were analyzed by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Si-29 MASNMR spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thermal stability, mechanical scratch resistance, static and advancing/receding dynamic contact angles were measured by thermogravimetry, the pencil hardness test and a drop shape analysis system. The prepared hybrid thin films exhibited good transparency, hydrophobicity, as well as good mechanical and anti-stain properties.