Large‐Scale Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Coatings with High Rigidity and Good Flexibility

Abstract

The practical applications of superhydrophobic self‐cleaning surfaces have been hampered by poor mechanical durability. Here, a composite coating that possesses excellent superhydrophobicity and robust mechanical durability is fabricated, consisting of a methyl silicone resin and a superhydrophobic silica sol. The coating can be sprayed, dipped, rolled, or flowed onto various substrates, such as glass, metal, paper, and cloth, for large‐scale applications. The coating exhibits remarkable superhydrophobicity even after undergoing a finger‐wipe test, a knife‐scratch test, or 50 abrasion cycles with sandpaper. Moreover, the coating on hard substrates exhibits high rigidity (pencil hardness of 9H), good flexibility (impact resistance of 1 m•kg) and great adhesion (5B).