One-Step Assembly of Phytic Acid Metal Complexes for Superhydrophilic Coatings

While of immense scientific interest, superhydrophilic surfaces are usually difficult to prepare, and preparation methods are typically substrate specific. Herein, a one-step coating method is described that can endow superhydrophilicity to a variety of substrates, both inorganic and organic, using the coordination complexes of natural phytic acid and Fe-III ions. Coating deposition occurs in minutes, and coatings are ultrathin, colorless, and transparent. Superhydrophilicity is attributed, in part, to the high density of phosphonic acid groups. The ease, rapidness, and mildness of the assembly process, which is also cost-effective and environmental-friendly, points towards potential applications, such as self-cleaning, oil/water separation, antifogging.