Preparation of PFDTS-kaolin/PU superamphiphobic coatings with antibacterial, antifouling and improved durability property

Abstract

Superamphiphobic materials have a higher and broader application value compared to superhydrophobic materials. Nevertheless, durability has always been an obstacle to its practical application. Herein, we report a method that utilizes 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (PFDTS) as an esterification reaction modifier agent for kaolin, and polyurethane as adhesive binding to substrates, so as to construct inorganic/polymer composite coatings, for obtaining a durability superamphiphobic material. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization reveal that kaolin is successfully grafted by PFDTS. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry tests exhibit that the material can withstand temperatures up to 400 °C. The self-cleaning test demonstrates that the as-prepared coating is repulsive to a variety of liquids such as water, milk, mud, olive oil, and n-hexadecane, which has a surface tension as low as 27.5 mN/m. It still maintains superamphiphobicity after the material is polished by sandpaper and the retention rate is above 96 % when the friction distance is about 4500 cm. After soaking in strong acid and strong base, it shows superior acid resistance and favorable alkali resistance. After aging durability irradiation for 300 min, it still retains superamphiphobicity. In addition, the biological contamination resistance tests indicate that it has a certain adhesion resistance to gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Therefore, it is a promising kind of durable anti-fouling material for underground oil pipelines and construction.