Simple and low cost fabrication of large area nanocoatings with mechanical robustness, enhanced broadband transmittance and antifogging

The large area nanocoatings with mechanical robustness, high broadband transmittance and antifogging are highly in demand for commercial and industry applications. However, up to now, it is still very difficult to fabricate the advanced nanocoatings with multiple functions owing to technical challenge. In this work, we successfully developed an amazing sol-gel mixed suspension composed of acid-catalyzed silica sol (ACSS) and base-catalyzed solid silica nanoparticles (SSNs) to achieve the facile, cost-efficient, large area and substrate-versatile fabrication of mechanically robust nanocoatings with enhanced broadband transmittance and anti-fogging via simple dip-coating or spray-coating method without any post-treatments. Noteworthily, the addition of ACSS plays a key role in the formation of multifunctional nanocoatings. It not only crosslinks the SSNs to form three-dimensional network structure for enhanced mechanical stability (3 H pencil scratching test), improved adhesion (class of 4B for tape adhesion test), and high resistance to the impact of water flow, but also maintains enough porosity and surface roughness of nanocoatings for enhanced transmittance (97.6% at the wavelength of 517 nm, and ca. 5.0% increase of mean transmittance in the 400-1100 nm) and hydrophilic (water contact angles after 0.5 s of spreading: ca. 6.8 degrees) antifogging. Moreover, the developed suspension not only can be applicable to different substrates such as organic glass and solar panel glass slide, but also can be fit for large area of 90 cm * 160 cm. Due to simple, cost-efficient, large area and substrate-versatile fabrication of such nano- coatings, it has great potential to be pushed into the markets.

Automated summary

The study developed a novel sol-gel mixed suspension of acid-catalyzed silica sol and base-catalyzed solid silica nanoparticles for the facile, cost-efficient, large area, and substrate-versatile fabrication of mechanically robust nanocoatings with enhanced broadband transmittance and anti-fogging properties.