Universal Low-Temperature Process for Preparation of Multifunctional High-Performance Antireflective Mesoporous Silica Coatings on Transparent Polymeric Substrates

Abstract

In this work, we developed a universal low-temperature process for the preparation of multifunctional and robust mesoporous silica antireflective coatings on transparent polymeric substrates. The mesoporous silica layer was formed after UV-O exposure and ammonia vapor treatment of dried poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (F127)-containing acidic silica gel. The optical and antiscrubbing properties of the mesoporous silica coating were comparable to those of the coating prepared at 250 °C. The highest optical transmittance reached 99.55%, and the transmittance loss was only 1.02% after 400 scrubbing cycles. The coating surface formed by the low-temperature process was hydrophilic, resulting in excellent antifogging properties. The low-temperature process was successfully applied on various transparent polymeric substrates including polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polycarbonate. The excellent optical and mechanical performances of the mesoporous silica antireflective coatings on transparent polymeric substrates allow a wide range of practical applications, especially in the field of flexible electronics.

Coupled Superhydrophilic PMMA Film with Inverted Pyramid Microstructures for Antireflection and Antifogging Properties

“…In order to broaden its scope of application, recent developments in the field of antireflection have led to a renewed interest in multifunctional antireflective surfaces [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. A considerable amount of literature has been concentrated on constructing multifunctional polymer coatings with antireflection and antifogging behaviors.…”

Preparation of organic–inorganic hybridized dual‐functional antifog/antireflection coatings on plastic substrates

“…Many researches pertaining to this subject have been reported and reviewed . Over the last decades, dual‐functional antifogging/antireflection (AFAR) coating techniques were widely developed . However, since most plastic substrates suffer from the drawback of thermal resistance, AFAR coatings on plastic substrates emerge not until recently .…”

“…Over the last decades, dual‐functional antifogging/antireflection (AFAR) coating techniques were widely developed . However, since most plastic substrates suffer from the drawback of thermal resistance, AFAR coatings on plastic substrates emerge not until recently . Recently, water‐resistant AF coatings with a bilayer configuration were developed in our laboratory .…”

Bio-inspired antifogging PDMS coupled micro-pillared superhydrophobic arrays and SiO2 coatings

“…[14][15][16][17] Compared with these materials, polymer materials have lots of peculiar attributes, such as low cost, good deformability and ease of fabrication and so they have broader application prospects. 18,19 Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is typical example of these materials. 20,21 PDMS is inherently water repellent and one of the frequently-used surface modiers to create superhydrophobic surfaces.…”