Hydrophobic BN Powders by Combustion Synthesis and Its Super-hydrophobic Coatings: Preparation and Property

BN nanofilms with hierarchical structure exhibite super-hydrophobicity, but they are not suitable for the large-scale production and application due to their complicated preparation process and expensive cost. Compared with common BN nanofilms, the application of super-hydrophobic coatings based on hydrophobic BN powders are more convenient. Herein, the hydrophobic single-phase BN powders were prepared by combustion synthesis method through magnesiothermic reduction reaction and acid washing, showing the water contact angle at (144.6 +/- 2.4)degrees. Their hydrophobic character lies in the micro-nano hierarchical structure of BN particles. The super-hydrophobic BN/fluorosilicone resin coatings were prepared using the combustion-synthesized hydrophobic BN powders as fillers. The water contact angle and sliding angle for 30% BN/fluorosilicone resin coatings (in mass) are (151.2 +/- 0.7)degrees and 8 degrees, respectively, which are comparable to that of BN nanofilms fabricated by CVD method reported in the literature. This method is a convenient way to prepare super-hydrophobic organic-inorganic composite coatings by utilizing the hydrophobicity of ceramic powders. Therefore, hydrophobic BN powders and super-hydrophobic BN/fluorosilicone resin coatings are expected to have wide application.

Automated summary

In this study, hydrophobic BN powders were prepared through combustion synthesis method and used to prepare super-hydrophobic coatings. The coatings exhibited high water contact angle and low sliding angle, comparable to BN nanofilms reported in the literature. This research provides a convenient method for the preparation of super-hydrophobic coatings with wide application prospects.