An all-in-one bio-inspired superhydrophobic coating with mechanical/chemical/physical robustness

Abstract

Artificial superhydrophobic coatings with mechanical stability, chemical stability, and physical stability have been achieved separately. However, achieving these properties at the same time is still a challenge. In this paper, a novel combination of sintering and spraying strategy was proposed to design a 509 reagent (1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)propane-1-sulfonate)@Cu nanoparticles/Cu mesh/Cu organic-inorganic multilayer superhydrophobic coating. Surprisingly, the superweting coatings exhibit strong mechanical robustness undergoing cyclic tape peeling, sand/sandpaper abrasion and ultrasonic treatment. At the same time, the superhydrophobic coatings are also exposed to high temperature, UV irradiation and boiling water treatment to test its chemical stability. Moreover, the superhydrophobic coatings demonstrate outstanding physical robustness undergoing tensile force due to the combination of 509 reagent, Cu nanoparticles and Cu mesh. With multifaceted robustness, this superhydrophobic multilayer coating could be used in high-tech equipment area (such as: wear-resistance moving machine components, microfluidic devices, fluid microchips, microreactors, and so on) with strong alternating or impact loads, high friction service, and chemical corrosion.