Synthesis and characterization of enhanced hydrophobic polysilazane coatings with high transparency and durability

Abstract

The development of transparent hydrophobic coatings with durability is crucial required both optical transparency and hydrophobic properties for application. In this study, a series of durable, transparent and hydrophobic coatings were prepared by dispersing hydrophobic fumed silica (SiO₂) in the fluorinated polysilazanes (FPSZ) matrix and then spraying the mixture onto microscope slides. The coating FPC-1 achieved excellent comprehensive performances showing a water contact angle of 125°, a transmittance of 88.9 % at 400 nm, a pencil hardness of 6H, and an adhesion class of 5B. In addition, the coating of FPC-1 could withstand chemical corrosion for 7 days and 100 cycles of abrasion without significant degradation. These coatings show has great potential for applications in transparent optical devices.