Scalable-Manufactured Anticorrosion and Wear-Resistant Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Abstract

Superhydrophobic surfaces have attracted considerable attention because of their unique characteristics for widespread applications such as self-cleaning, deicing, antifouling, and hydrodynamic drag reduction. However, previous research has failed to attain the required mechanical and chemical robustness of a superhydrophobic surface simultaneously, which has significantly limited its application in complex and practical scenarios. In this work, we designed and fabricated a mechanically and chemically robust superhydrophobic surface that is made of laser-ablated microstructured stainless steel frames filled with fluoropolymer nanoparticles. The stainless-steel frames serve as a protective cover that significantly enhances the mechanical durability of the surface, and the fluoropolymer coatings subsequently improve the resistance to chemical corrosion due to their intrinsic chemical inertness. This synergetic effect of mechanical protection and chemical inertness empowers the superhydrophobic surface of robust superhydrophobicity after 1000 cycles of sandpaper abrasion and immersion in extremely corrosive chemical solutions of 1.5 mol/L NaOH or 0.75 mol/L H2SO4 for 300 h. In addition, our superhydrophobic surface has retained anticorrosion and wear-resistant properties even after 30 days of continuous UV and thermal exposure, salt spray, and seawater immersion. Thus, we envision that such superhydrophobic surfaces with their superior mechanical robustness, chemical corrosion resistance, and scalable manufacturability are capable of expanding their operational lifespan in practical engineering applications.

A wear and heat-resistant hydrophobic fluoride-free coating based on modified nanoparticles and waterborne-modified polyacrylic resin

“…In the reports of using sandpaper as a wear medium, 800 mesh or 1000 mesh sandpaper is usually used, the load is generally 1-3 kPa, and the coating can withstand about 1 m of wear. [43][44][45] In this work, a 600 mesh sandpaper and a 20 kPa load were used for abrasion experiments, and the best-performing sample could wear more than 45 m (1 : 5 sample, as shown in Fig. 6b was 450 turns at 30% mass).…”

Robust and Durable Superhydrophobic Coatings with Antipollution Flashover Performance via Silane-Modified Polyurea

“…27 The limited mechanical capabilities and subpar durability of superhydrophobic surfaces have become major hindrances to their industrial application. 28,29 more, the electrical properties, including volume resistivity, dielectric strength, and leakage current, have not been fully considered in these studies. Therefore, there is a need to investigate a novel superhydrophobic material possessing exceptional mechanical characteristics and durability for augmenting antiflashover capability.…”

“…Nevertheless, prolonged exposure to outdoor environments or friction can significantly compromise the water repellency and antifouling property of most of the current coatings by damaging the surface micro–nano fine structure . The limited mechanical capabilities and subpar durability of superhydrophobic surfaces have become major hindrances to their industrial application. , Furthermore, the electrical properties, including volume resistivity, dielectric strength, and leakage current, have not been fully considered in these studies. Therefore, there is a need to investigate a novel superhydrophobic material possessing exceptional mechanical characteristics and durability for augmenting antiflashover capability.…”

CdO-Nanografted Superhydrophobic Hybrid Polymer Composite-Coated Cotton Fabrics for Self-Cleaning and Oil/Water Separation Applications

“…Durability or stability of the waterproof property is one of the most critical and significant problems of superhydrophobic materials. This is because the micro- or nanoscale structures of superhydrophobic materials are fragile and easily destroyed . Therefore, it is crucial to develop and produce superhydrophobic materials that are highly effective, durable, and capable of separating oil from water.…”

“…This is because the micro-or nanoscale structures of superhydrophobic materials are fragile and easily destroyed. 19 Therefore, it is crucial to develop and produce superhydrophobic materials that are highly effective, durable, and capable of separating oil from water. In particular, it is still extremely difficult to produce degradable and highly hydrophobic materials on a large scale in an efficient and affordable manner.…”