A Facile and Cost-Effective Method to Prepare a Robust Superhydrophobic RTV Silicone Coating

A facile and cost-effective layer-by-layer assembly method is reported for the fabrication of a superhydrophobic coating using room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and silica particles of different diameters. The superhydrophobic coating shows a contact angle of 154.6 degrees and a rolling angle of 9 degrees. The coating exhibits excellent self-cleaning properties and corrosion resistance with good softness and mechanical durability. The sample maintains its good superhydrophobicity, even after a series of tests by knife scratching, cutting, and hammering. The fabrication method has great advantages in terms of efficiency, cost, simple procedure and conditions. Its wide application in different substrates and the use of environment-friendly materials are also beneficial to the large-scale production of the coating.

Automated summary

The superhydrophobic coating fabricated through a facile method shows excellent performance in self-cleaning, corrosion resistance, and mechanical durability. The efficient fabrication method, wide applicability to different substrates, and the use of environmentally friendly materials are advantageous for large-scale production.