Self-Healing Underwater Superoleophobic and Antibiofouling Coatings Based on the Assembly of Hierarchical Microgel Spheres

Abstract

Marine biofouling has been plaguing people for thousands of years. While various strategies have been developed for antifouling (including superoleophobic) coatings, none of these exhibits self-healing properties because the bestowal of a zoetic self-repairing function to lifeless artificial water/solid interfacial materials is usually confronted with tremendous challenges. Here, we present a self-repairing underwater superoleophobic and antibiofouling coating through the self-assembly of hydrophilic polymeric chain modified hierarchical microgel spheres. The obtained surface material not only has excellent underwater superoleophobicity but also has very good subaqueous antibiofouling properties. More importantly, this surface material can recover the oil- and biofouling-resistant properties once its surface is mechanically damaged, similar to the skins of some marine organisms such as sharks or whales. This approach is feasible and easily mass-produced and could open a pathway and possibility for the fabrication of other self-healing functional water/solid interfacial materials.

Robust, Self-Healing Superhydrophobic Fabrics Prepared by One-Step Coating of PDMS and Octadecylamine

“…Inspired by that, self-healing superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated to extend the lifespan of these coatings, which is actually of importance for the employment of the superhydrophobic materials in practical applications2829303132333435363738. Generally speaking, self-healing of the superhydrophobic surfaces can be realized by migrating of hydrophobic components34394041424344454647 or regenerating topographic structures484950515253.…”

Environmental stimuli-responsive self-repairing waterbased superhydrophobic coatings

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Therefore, developing a facile method for fabricating self-repairing superhydrophobic surfaces becomes an urgent demand.…”

A robust salt-tolerant superoleophobic alginate/graphene oxide aerogel for efficient oil/water separation in marine environments

“…How to efficiently and effectively realize oil/water separation in marine environments has become a subject of global concern. Since oil/water separation is an interfacial issue, applying functional materials with special wetting properties is considered an effective and facile strategy45678. Up until now, most in-air superoleophobic materials are based on the modification of fluorination reagents91011.…”