Fabrication of superhydrophobic and heat-insulating antimony doped tin oxide/polyurethane films by cast replica micromolding

Composite Superhydrophobic Coating with Transparency and Thermal Insulation for Glass Curtain Walls

In this paper, the preparation of a transparent superhydrophobic composite coating with a thermal insulation function using antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles is proposed, which has advantages of being mass-producible and low-cost. In short, nanosilica and ATO are used as raw materials for constructing rough structures, and superhydrophobic coatings are obtained by mixing and adding binders after modification of each, which are then applied to the surface of various substrates by spraying to obtain a transparent superhydrophobic coating with a heat-insulating function. The specific role of each nanoparticle is discussed through comparative experiments that illustrate the mechanism by which the two particles construct rough structures. The coating achieves unique thermal insulation properties while possessing excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA of ∼163° and WSA of ∼3°) and high light transmission (∼70%). Heat-shielding experiments have demonstrated that the composite coating effectively reduces the room temperature by approximately 19% for the same irradiation time. The coating achieves a balanced improvement in visible transmittance, thermal insulation, and superhydrophobicity. In addition, the coating's self-cleaning properties, mechanical properties, chemical weathering resistance, high-temperature resistance, and anti-icing properties were verified through various experiments.

Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-co-Hexafluoropropylene) Films Filled in Iron Nanoparticles for Infrared Shielding Applications

In order to use the infrared (IR) radiation shielding materials, they should take a form of thin film coatings deposited on glass/polymer substrates or be used as fillers of glass/polymer. The first approach usually suffers from several technological problems. Therefore, the second strategy gains more and more attention. Taking into account this trend, this work presents the usage of iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) embedded into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) films as the shielding material in near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) region. The performed investigations show that the transmittance of copolymer films decreases with increasing content of the Fe NPs inside them. It is found that the average fade of IR transmittance for 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 50 mg of Fe NPs is about 13%, 24%, 31%, 77%, and 98%, respectively. Moreover, it is observed that the PVDF-HFP films filled in the Fe NPs almost does not reflect the NIR and MIR radiation. Hence, the IR shielding properties of the PVDF-HFP films can be effectively tuned by the addition of proper amount of the Fe NPs. This, in turn, shows that the PVDF-HFP films filled in the Fe NPs constitute a great option for IR antireflective and shielding applications.

Lotus-Leaf-Inspired Biomimetic Coatings: Different Types, Key Properties, and Applications in Infrastructures

A universal infrastructural issue is wetting of surfaces; millions of dollars are invested annually for rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructures including roadways and buildings to fix the damages caused by moisture and frost. The biomimicry of the lotus leaf can provide superhydrophobic surfaces that can repel water droplets, thus reducing the penetration of moisture, which is linked with many deterioration mechanisms in infrastructures, such as steel corrosion, sulfate attack, alkali-aggregate reactions, and freezing and thawing. In cold-region countries, the extent of frost damage due to freezing of moisture in many components of infrastructures will be decreased significantly if water penetration can be minimized. Consequently, it will greatly reduce the maintenance and rehabilitation costs of infrastructures. The present study was conducted to explore any attempted biomimicry of the lotus leaf to produce biomimetic coatings. It focuses on anti-wetting characteristics (e.g., superhydrophobicity, sliding angle, contact angle), self-cleaning capability, durability, and some special properties (e.g., light absorbance and transmission, anti-icing capacity, anti-fouling ability) of lotus-leaf-inspired biomimetic coatings. This study also highlights the potential applications of such coatings, particularly in infrastructures. The most abundant research across coating materials showed superhydrophobicity as being well-tested while self-cleaning capacity and durability remain among the properties that require further research with existing promise. In addition, the special properties of many coating materials should be validated before practical applications.

Current Status and Future Prospects of Applying Bioinspired Superhydrophobic Materials for Conservation of Stone Artworks

The development of innovative materials is one of the most important focus areas in heritage conservation research. Eligible materials can not only protect the physical and chemical integrity of artworks but also preserve their artistic and aesthetic features. Recently, as one of the hot research topics in materials science, biomimetic superhydrophobic materials have gradually attracted the attention of conservation scientists due to their unique properties. In fact, ultra-repellent materials are particularly suitable for hydrophobization treatments on outdoor artworks. Owing to their excellent hydrophobicity, superhydrophobic materials can effectively prevent the absorption and penetration of liquid water as well as the condensation of water vapor, thus greatly relieving water-induced decay phenomena. Moreover, in the presence of liquid water, the superhydrophobic surfaces equipped with a self-cleaning property can clean the dirt and dust deposited spontaneously, thereby restoring the artistic features simultaneously. In the present paper, besides the basic principles of wetting on solid surfaces, materials, and methods reported for preparing bioinspired ultra-repellent materials, the recently proposed materials for art conservation are also introduced and critically reviewed, along with a discussion on the droplet impact and durability of the artificial superhydrophobic surfaces. Lastly, the current status and the problems encountered in practical application are also pointed out, and the focus of future research is presented as well.

Preparation of Colorful, Infrared-Reflective, and Superhydrophobic Polymer Films with Obvious Resistance to Dust Deposition

In recent years, polymer films containing deep color and near-infrared (NIR)-reflective pigments have received much attention for their potential applications in energy-saving fields. However, in practical environments, dust present in the air is easily adsorbed and adheres to the surface of these films, thus gradually reducing their NIR reflectance. In this work, black or deep-red infrared-reflective pigments were firstly mixed with melted low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and then the resulting composite was thermally pressed on to a metal template possessing micro- and nanostructure surface roughness. After being cooled to a suitable temperature, the LDPE composite film was peeled from the template. Ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectroscopy and an indoor infrared lamp irradiation test both confirmed that the prepared films exhibit high NIR reflectance and high heat reflectance. Moreover, due to the stretching-controlled micromolding process, the films all exhibited a superhydrophobic (SH) property. After incubation in outdoor conditions for 1 month, the NIR reflectance of the SH films remained almost consistent; however, the films that did not possess SH property showed a marked decrease in their ability to reflect NIR radiation. By a combination of scanning electron microscopy imaging, we conclude that our films are able to resist dust deposition and thus avoid deterioration of their infrared-reflective properties. We believe that these colorful, infrared-reflective, SH, and cost-effective films have potential application for reducing energy consumption where minimal solar irradiation is required.

Controllable synthesis of small size CsxWO3 nanorods as transparent heat insulation film additives

Small size Cs_xWO₃ nanorods synthesized using pure ethanol as the solvent exhibited the best visible transparency and NIR shielding performance.

Preparation of Fluoroalkyl End-Capped Vinyltrimethoxysilane Oligomeric Silica Nanocomposites Containing Gluconamide Units Possessing Highly Oleophobic/Superhydrophobic, Highly Oleophobic/Superhydrophilic, and Superoleophilic/Superhydrophobic Characteristics on the Modified Surfaces

Fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomer [R_F-(CH₂-CHSi(OMe)₃)_n-R_F (R_F-(VM)_n-R_F)] undergoes the sol-gel reaction in the presence of N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)gluconamide [Glu-Si(OEt)₃] under alkaline conditions to afford the corresponding fluorinated oligomeric silica nanocomposites containing gluconamide units [R_F-(VM-SiO_3/2)_n-R_F/Glu-SiO_3/2]. These obtained nanocomposites were applied to the surface modification of glass to provide the unique wettability characteristics such as highly oleophobic/superhydrophobic and highly oleophobic/superhydrophilic on the modified surfaces under a variety of conditions. Such a highly oleophobic/superhydrophobic characteristic was also observed on the modified PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fabric swatch, which was prepared under similar conditions, and this modified PET fabric swatch was applied to the separation membrane for the separation of the mixture of fluorocarbon oil and hydrocarbon oil. The R_F-(VM-SiO_3/2)_n-R_F/Glu-SiO_3/2 nanocomposites, which were prepared under lower feed amounts of basic catalyst (ammonia), were found to cause gelation in water. Interestingly, it was demonstrated that these gelling nanocomposites are also applied to the surface modification of the PET fabric swatch to give a highly oleophobic/superhydrophobic characteristic on the surface. On the other hand, the modified glass surfaces treated with the corresponding nanocomposite possessing no gelling ability were found to supply the usual hydrophobic characteristic with a highly oleophobic property. More interestingly, the wettability change on the modified PET fabric swatch from highly oleophobic to superoleophilic was observed, and remained superhydrophobic after immersing the modified PET fabric swatch into water.

Smart window coating based on F-TiO2-KxWO3 nanocomposites with heat shielding, ultraviolet isolating, hydrophilic and photocatalytic performance

A series of smart window coated multifunctional NIR shielding-photocatalytic films were fabricated successfully through K_xWO₃ and F-TiO₂ in a low-cost and environmentally friendly process. Based on the synergistic effect of K_xWO₃ and F-TiO₂, the optimal proportion of K_xWO₃ to F-TiO₂ was investigated and the FT/2KWO nanocomposite film exhibited strong near-infrared, ultraviolet light shielding ability, good visible light transmittance, high photocatalytic activity and excellent hydrophilic capacity. This film exhibited better thermal insulation capacity than ITO and higher photocatalytic activity than P25. Meanwhile, the excellent stability of this film was examined by the cycle photocatalytic degradation and thermal insulation experiments. Overall, this work is expected to provide a possibility in integrating K_xWO₃ with F-TiO₂, so as to obtain a multifunctional NIR shielding-photocatalytic nanocomposite film in helping solve the energy crisis and deteriorating environmental issues.

Preparation and Surface Property of Fluoroalkyl End-Capped Vinyltrimethoxysilane Oligomer/Talc Composite-Encapsulated Organic Compounds: Application for the Separation of Oil and Water

Fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomer [R(F)-(CH2-CHSi(OMe)3)n-R(F); n = 2, 3; R(F) = CF(CF3)OC3F7 (R(F)-VM oligomer)] can undergo the sol-gel reaction in the presence of talc particles under alkaline conditions at room temperature to provide the corresponding fluorinated oligomeric silica/talc nanocomposites (RF-VM-SiO2/Talc). A variety of guest molecules such as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (HMB), bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol AF, 3-(hydroxysilyl)-1-propanesulfonic acid (THSP), and perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid (R(F)-COOH) are effectively encapsulated into the R(F)-VM-SiO2/Talc composite cores to afford the corresponding fluorinated nanocomposites-encapsulated these guest molecules. The R(F)-VM-SiO2/Talc composites encapsulated low molecular weight aromatic compounds such as HMB and BPA can exhibit a superoleophilic-superhydrophobic characteristic on the surfaces; however, the R(F)-VM-SiO2/Talc composite-encapsulated THSP and R(F)-COOH exhibit a superoleophobic-superhydrophilic characteristic on the modified surfaces. In these nanocomposites, the R(F)-VM-SiO2/Talc/THSP composites are applicable to the surface modification of polyester fabric, and the modified polyester fabric possessing a superoleophobic-superhydrophilic characteristic on the surface can be used for the membrane for oil (dodecane)/water separation. In addition, the R(F)-VM-SiO2/Talc composites-encapsulated micrometer-size controlled cross-linked polystyrene particles can be also prepared under similar conditions, and the obtained composite white-colored particle powders are applied to the packing material for the column chromatography to separate water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion.

Preparation and self-sterilizing properties of Ag@TiO2-styrene-acrylic complex coatings

In this study, we report a simple and cost-effective method for self-sterilized complex coatings obtained by Ag@TiO2 particle incorporation into styrene-acrylic latex. The Ag@TiO2 particles were prepared via a coupling agent modification process. The composite latices characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study were highly homogeneous at the nanometric scale, and the Ag@TiO2 particles were well dispersed and exhibited an intimate contact between both the organic and inorganic components. The Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles significantly enhanced the absorption in the visible region and engendered a good heat-insulating effect of the complex coatings. Moreover, the Ag@TiO2 nanoparticle incorporation into this polymer matrix renders self-sterilized nanocomposite materials upon light excitation, which are tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The complex coatings display an impressive performance in the killing of all micro-organisms with a maximum for a Ag@TiO2 loading concentration of 2-5 wt.%. The weathering endurance of the complex coating was also measured.

Creation of coating surfaces possessing superhydrophobic and superoleophobic characteristics with fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomeric nanocomposites having biphenylene segments

Fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomeric nanocomposites having biphenylene units [R(F)-(VM-SiO(2))(n)-R(F)/Ar-SiO(2)] were prepared by the sol-gel reaction of the corresponding oligomer [R(F)-(VM)(n)-R(F)] with 4,4'-bis(triethoxysilyl)-1,1'-biphenyl [Ar-Si(OEt)(3)] under alkaline conditions. R(F)-(VM-SiO(2))(n)-R(F)/Ar-SiO(2) nanocomposites were applied to the surface modification of PMMA to exhibit not only a good oleophobicity imparted by fluorine but also a fluorescent emission ability on the surface. Methanol sol solutions of R(F)-(VM-SiO(2))(n)-R(F)/Ar-SiO(2) nanocomposites were effective for the surface modification of glass through the dipping technique to exhibit good oleophobicity with superhydrophobicity on the modified glass surface. On the other hand, 1,2-dichloroethane sol solutions enabled R(F)-(VM-SiO(2))(n)-R(F)/Ar-SiO(2) nanocomposites to exhibit both superhydrophobic and superoleophobic characteristics on the modified surface through dipping the glass in these sol solutions.