FLUORINATED SILANE–MODIFIED POLYSILAZANE SUPERHYDROPHOBIC COATING WITH ENHANCED MECHANICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DURABILITY

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Superhydrophobic coatings have gained increasing attention in structural engineering due to their ability to provide water repellency, anti-fouling performance, and surface protection against environmental degradation. However, achieving both high hydrophobicity and long-term durability remains a significant challenge. This study presents a novel fluorinated silane-modified organic polysilazane coating system designed to deliver superior water repellency, mechanical robustness, and environmental stability through a scalable and cost-effective fabrication approach.

Synthesis of Fluorinated Silane Coupling Agent

A fluorinated silane coupling agent was synthesized via hydrosilylation between 2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl methacrylate and trimethoxysilane. The incorporation of perfluoroalkyl functional groups provides low surface energy, which is essential for achieving superhydrophobic behavior. This synthesized coupling agent was subsequently integrated into an organic polysilazane matrix, enhancing interfacial bonding and improving compatibility between the polymeric network and inorganic fillers.

Construction of Hierarchical Micro–Nano Surface Structure

To further amplify hydrophobic performance, micro–nano SiO₂ particles were introduced to form a hierarchical rough surface structure. The dual-scale roughness, combined with the low surface energy fluorinated silane component, enables the formation of a Cassie–Baxter wetting state. A simple spraying technique was employed to fabricate the coating, allowing practical application on diverse substrates including glass, metal, and concrete, thereby demonstrating strong versatility for structural applications.

Superhydrophobic Performance Evaluation

The optimized coating achieved a water contact angle (WCA) of 156.3° and a sliding angle of 5.6°, confirming its superhydrophobic characteristics. The high contact angle indicates excellent water repellency, while the low sliding angle reflects minimal adhesion between water droplets and the coated surface. These properties enable efficient water shedding and reduced moisture accumulation, which are critical for corrosion resistance and durability in structural environments.

Mechanical Robustness and Environmental Stability

Mechanical durability was assessed through repeated tape-peeling tests and sandpaper abrasion under controlled loading conditions. Even after 12 tape-peeling cycles or 360 cm abrasion under a 50 g load, the coating maintained a WCA above 150°, demonstrating strong adhesion and wear resistance under the tested conditions. Furthermore, exposure to alkaline solutions, saline environments, and UV radiation did not significantly compromise hydrophobic performance, indicating good chemical and photostability for outdoor structural use.

Self-Cleaning Capability and Structural Applications

The coating exhibited effective self-cleaning behavior against pigments and common liquids, allowing contaminants to be easily removed by rolling water droplets. This functionality reduces maintenance requirements and enhances surface longevity. Overall, the developed fluorinated silane–polysilazane superhydrophobic coating provides a simple, low-cost, and scalable strategy for protective applications in civil infrastructure, offering promising potential for waterproofing, anti-corrosion, and self-cleaning structural surfaces.

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#CorrosionProtection
#ConcreteProtection
#AdvancedMaterials
#CivilEngineeringMaterials
#HydrophobicCoatings
#SurfaceModification
#DurableCoatings
#SustainableConstruction
#Nanotechnology
#StructuralProtection
#EngineeringInnovation

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