Durable dual-repellent coatings with anti-fouling and anti-icing performance

Abstract

The development of environmentally sustainable preparation methods is crucial for developing coatings that combine high mechanical strength with superior antifouling properties. Herein, a dual-repellent coating (PKF-SiO2) was fabricated through an epoxy ring-opening reaction in an aqueous environment using γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), nanosilica (SiO2), and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (PFAS) as raw materials. The resulting PKF-SiO2 coating exhibited exceptional mechanical robustness and antifouling properties. Remarkably, liquids such as n-hexadecane, soybean oil, and glycerin showed no adhesion to the coating surface even after being subjected to 1000 cycles of friction or bending tests. Anti-icing evaluations further demonstrated that the ice adhesion pressure on the PKF-SiO2 coating was reduced to 17 kPa, whereas the freezing time of the water droplets was extended to 1167 s, representing a 9-min delay compared with that of the bare substrate. These findings underscore the promising potential of the PKF-SiO2 coating for enhancing antifouling and self-cleaning protection in diverse fields, such as textiles and construction. γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane was used as a bridge between hydrophobic particles and polyurethane to prepare dual-repellent coating in aqueous environment. This coating demonstrates superior mechanical strength, antifouling properties, and self-cleaning capabilities. In comparison to the uncoated substrate, the amphiphobic coating exhibited a 9-minute delay in freezing time and a reduced adhesion strength of 17 kPa. These results highlight the promising potential of the PKF-SiO2 coating for enhancing antifouling and self-cleaning functionalities in various applications, including textiles and construction