In addition, the research team realized the simple construction of silicon dioxide silicone composite block super hydrophobic materials based on the molding technology. In the same way, the amount of silica dopant has an important influence on the hydrophobic properties of the material surface. With the increase of silica doping content, the hydrophobicity of the material surface increases gradually. When the silica content is 9 wt%, the water contact angle of the coating reaches about 167 degrees and the rolling angle is about 6 degrees. However, when the silica content exceeds 10%, it is difficult to obtain homogeneous emulsion for molding. Similarly, SEM test shows that the doping of silica with certain concentration is the key to build the rough structure of the coating surface.

The effect of silica content on the properties of composite block superhydrophobic materials. Photo source: ACS appl. Mater. Interfaces

In the aspect of surface anti pollution, the superhydrophobic coating and bulk superhydrophobic material show the characteristics of self-cleaning. At the same time, the substrate adhesion test shows that the composite coating prepared by spraying process has excellent substrate adhesion performance.

Self cleaning performance display of superhydrophobic coating. Photo source: ACS appl. Mater. Interfaces

In addition, the two kinds of superhydrophobic coatings show excellent high temperature resistance (350 ℃) and chemical corrosion resistance (pH 1 ~ 13); the block superhydrophobic materials also show excellent compressibility (1 ~ 10MPa); at the same time, the overall uniform superhydrophobic properties of the block superhydrophobic materials endow its surface superhydrophobic properties with sustainable renewable ability.

Test of heat resistance, chemical corrosion resistance and compressibility of superhydrophobic coating. Photo source: ACS appl. Mater. Interfaces

summary
"Inorganic organic doping" is one of the commonly used simple strategies to construct composite superhydrophobic coatings. By using this strategy, the research achievement has realized the simple construction of silicon dioxide silicone based high-performance composite coating and molding block superhydrophobic material; the superhydrophobic coating material shows excellent high temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance and renewable surface hydrophobicity, which makes it have a great application prospect in long-life and high anticorrosive coating.