Fabrication of Self-healing Superhydrophobic Surfaces from Water-Soluble Polymer Suspensions Free of Inorganic Particles through Polymer Thermal Reconstruction

Abstract

Self-healing superhydrophobic surfaces have been fabricated by casting and drying water-soluble amphiphilic polymer suspensions at room temperature through thermal reconstruction. When compared with previous methods, this approach exploits modified natural hierarchical microstructures from wood instead of artificially constructing them for superhydrophobic morphology, which involves neither organic solvent nor inorganic particles nor complex procedures. The obtained superhydrophobic surface has acceptable resistance to abrasion. The surface can recover superhydrophobicity spontaneously at room temperature upon damage, which can be accelerated at a higher temperature. After depleting healing agents, the polymer suspension can be sprayed or cast onto wood surfaces to replenish healing agents and to restore self-healing ability. The superhydrophobic surface greatly increases the mold inhibition and water resistance of wood, which would prolong the service life of wood based materials.

Recent development and emerging applications of robust biomimetic superhydrophobic wood

“…For example, when the wood surface sprayed with perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (KH1322)/silica composite suspension was subjected to mechanical wear, it could be restored to its self-healing ability by respraying a fluoroalkylsilane/silica composite suspension. 78,79…”

Fabrication of Hydrophobic ZnO/PMHS Coatings on Bamboo Surfaces: The Synergistic Effect of ZnO and PMHS on Anti-Mildew Properties

“…It has been reported that hydrophobic wood can have improved water resistance and mildew inhibition, but the anti-mildew effect was not significant [32]. Although a hydrophobic surface can reduce the adherence of bacteria and water, it does not have the function of sterilization, leading to poor anti-mildew properties for hydrophobic modified bamboo [31,32]. It is interesting to investigate the synergistic effect of hydrophobic surface with antimicrobial agents, because it will afford bamboo good resistance to both water absorption and microbial degradation.…”

“…It has been reported that hydrophobic surfaces can inhibit the adherence of bacteria, decreasing the incidence of infection [30,31]. It has been reported that hydrophobic wood can have improved water resistance and mildew inhibition, but the anti-mildew effect was not significant [32]. Although a hydrophobic surface can reduce the adherence of bacteria and water, it does not have the function of sterilization, leading to poor anti-mildew properties for hydrophobic modified bamboo [31,32].…”

Fundamentals and utilization of solid/ liquid phase boundary interactions on functional surfaces

“…The main weak point of a roughened surface is the vulnerability of the texture to mechanical damage. This can be overcome by the right choice of durable raw materials (e.g., metals [65], brittle inorganics [68]) or by utilizing self-healing behaviour to regain the damaged roughness [69][70][71][72].…”