Superhydrophobic LLDPE/SiO2 Nanoparticles Coatings

A new study deals with the fabrication of durable porous and non-porous superhydrophobic LLDPE/SiO2 nanoparticles coatings with excellent self-cleaning property.

In a current work, SiO2 nanoparticles embedded linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) superhydrophobic coatings on glass substrates were fabricated using dip-coating technique. Porosity of SiO2 nanoparticles coupled LLDPE superhydrophobic coatings was also varied using non-solvent (ethanol) by employing phase separation method. Surface morphology, water contact angle, self-cleaning and water-repellency of coatings were characterized. Furthermore, the stability of these coatings was also evaluated by conducting thermal, chemical and mechanical stability tests at perturbation conditions.

Porous coatings more durable

Along with, comparative studies of porous and non-porous LLDPE/SiO2 coatings on their performances were presented in the current work. By creating porosity and/or embedding SiO2 nanoparticles in to LLDPE matrix, superhydrophobicity is achieved with water contact angle of 170° and sliding angle of 3.8°. Coatings exhibit the excellent self-cleaning property. Their superhydrophobic property is also maintained after annealing in temperature range from 40 to 120 °C. Water jet impact test reveals the excellent water repellent nature of coatings. Non-porous coatings exhibit more stability in pH range from 2 to 9 than porous coatings. By abrasion test with micro-fiber cloth and tape peeling tests, it is observed that porous coatings are more durable than non-porous coatings. The aforesaid coatings have great industrial applications.