Preparation and performance of self‐healing nanocomposite coating with hydrophobic self‐cleaning ability

Abstract

With the rapid development of today's society, hydrophobic materials are widely used in many fields due to their excellent hydrophobicity. This article presents a nanocomposite coating with self‐cleaning and self‐healing properties. The nanoparticles (TiO2) were prepared by hydrothermal method, and the TiO2 was hydrophobically modified by adjusting the content of stearic acid (SA) and compounded with a synthetic self‐healing silicone‐containing polyurethane (SiPU). A self‐healing nanocomposite coating (SA‐TiO2/SiPU) with hydrophobic self‐cleaning capability was obtained by a simple brushing technique, with a water contact angle of up to 135.1° and good mechanical properties, reaching a maximum tensile strength of 3.11 MPa and a maximum elongation of 537%, and a repair efficiency of 89.39% after 12 h of fracture repair at room temperature. The self‐healing properties and stability of the coating can increase the service life of the coating, and the self‐cleaning properties can also effectively prevent contaminants from adhering to the surface; its excellent performance has the potential for a wide range of practical applications.Highlights An environmentally self‐cleaning composite coating (SA‐TiO2/SiPU) was prepared in this study. The preparation method of the hydrophobic composite coating is simple. The micro‐nano structure of SA‐TiO2/SiPU is critical for its hydrophobicity. The SA‐TiO2/SiPU coating with good self‐healing properties. The SA‐TiO2/SiPU exhibited excellent durability and self‐cleaning properties.

Developing a photothermal anti/deicing fluor‐free composite coating with high wear resistance and liquid impalement resistance based on a new biobased benzoxazine resin and polydopamine‐coated aluminum nitride

“…Firstly, micro/nanostructures and low surface energy materials are two necessary conditions for constructing superhydrophobic surfaces. Epoxy resin, [16][17][18] polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 6,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] and polyurethane 28 were used as the resin to prepare coatings. To achieve low surface energy, low surface energy substances with fluoride 17,18,[22][23][24][25]28 were added to epoxy resin and polyurethane; however, fluoride has bioaccumulation, 29 which is contrary to the green development direction of materials.…”

“…Epoxy resin, [16][17][18] polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 6,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] and polyurethane 28 were used as the resin to prepare coatings. To achieve low surface energy, low surface energy substances with fluoride 17,18,[22][23][24][25]28 were added to epoxy resin and polyurethane; however, fluoride has bioaccumulation, 29 which is contrary to the green development direction of materials. Secondly, the micro/nanostructure of the superhydrophobic surface tends to fail under an external force, resulting in poor wear resistance.…”

“…Secondly, the micro/nanostructure of the superhydrophobic surface tends to fail under an external force, resulting in poor wear resistance. 30 For the above fourteen studies on photothermal superhydrophobic coatings, only nine studies reported the wear resistance of coatings, among which seven studies reported the usage of fillers with fluorinated surfaces 17,18,[22][23][24][25]28 because F atom has the lowest surface energy, and the coatings based on fillers without fluorinated surface treatment have poor wear resistance. 16,26 In summary, reported photothermal and superhydrophobic coatings with good wear resistance were prepared using fluorination technology.…”