Superhydrophobic epoxy coatings via pulsed laser processing

Abstract

Epoxy enamels are widely used for coating surfaces of structural and functional materials exposed to open atmospheres. However, most commercially available enamel brands, despite demonstrating good performance characteristics, have several limitations that restrict their application. These limitations include poor resistance to prolonged sunlight exposure, brittleness at low temperatures, susceptibility to cracking when the substrate deforms, wettability by aqueous media, and limited temperature resistance. This study demonstrates the potential to significantly enhance the multifunctional protective properties of enamel by imparting superhydrophobic characteristics to the surface of the finished coating. Using a commercially produced enamel as an example, the research shows that durable coatings can be achieved through pulsed laser treatment of the applied enamel layer, followed by chemisorption of functional fluorosilanes. The behavior of the resulting superhydrophobic coatings was evaluated under various conditions, including mechanical stress, thermal shock cycling, contact with aqueous media, and prolonged exposure to corrosive liquids. The designed superhydrophobic coating not only improved many existing protective properties but also introduced additional functional benefits to the coated surface. The approach proposed in this study can be adapted to enhance the properties of various types of enamels and substrates, offering a versatile solution for improving surface performance.