Graphene composite self-healing antifog/frost-resist transparent coatings with zwitter-wettability

Abstract

Self-healing materials achieve both durability and simplified maintenance by restoring their structure and function. However, self-healing materials utilizing surface hydrophilicity are considered incompatible with zwitter-wettability properties. Therefore, further investigation is needed to fabricate antifogging coatings that combine zwitter-wettability and self-healing properties. In this study, we demonstrated that polymer multilayer graphene composite coatings exhibit simultaneous antifogging and self-healing properties. We achieved a uniform dispersion of an aqueous solution of graphene by directly dispersing in a strong acid polymer and a uniform dispersion of graphene in the membrane via layer-by-layer self-assembly without any post-treatment, enabling precise control of hydrophobicity and water absorption of the membrane. The fabricated layer-by-layer coatings exhibited zwitter-wettability and self-healing performances comparable to those of previously reported systems. The maximum water droplet contact angle on the surface was 99° The 20-bilayer coating also exhibited excellent self-healing performance, closing 100 μm scratches within approximately 60 s and flattening the surface within approximately 300 s of exposure to water. In the antifogging tests, the coatings demonstrated high resistance to harsh cooling environments and exhibited excellent antifogging performance. This study provides a new zwitter-wetting strategy that combines self-healing and antifogging properties, providing an exceptional option for the development of next-generation surface coatings.