Highly durable superhydrophobic surfaces based on a protective frame and crosslinked PDMS-candle soot coatings

Abstract Superhydrophobic surfaces can be applied to environmental, energy, and healthcare fields. However, the weak durability issue has significantly limited the practical industrial applications. To overcome the readily destroyed interfacial structures and chemical compositions, the superhydrophobic surfaces with high mechanical and chemical durability have been created on a stainless steel mesh (SSM) as a protective frame based on tightly crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)−candle soot (CS) composite coatings through simple mechanical transfer and candle burning processes, which abbreviated to SSM/PDMS−CS and showed a water contact angle (WCA) of 159.4° ± 1.6° and a sliding angle (SA) of 2.3° ± 0.5°. Harsh abrasion examinations based on sandpaper and fiber paper have been conducted by applying 100 g weight and 200 cm sliding distance. And the obtained WCAs and SAs were 155° ± 3.7°, 155.7° ± 2° and 3.7° ± 0.5°, 3.5° ± 0.3°. Scanning electron microscope showed scratches on the surface, but the superhydrophobic property has been well maintained. After 40 kHz ultrasonication treatment for 30 min, WCA and SA were 152° ± 0.9° and 4.1° ± 0.8°. Finally, SSM/PDMS−CS surfaces exhibit good chemical resistance to corrosive solutions even after pH 2, pH 10, 1 M NaCl, and toluene treatments for 15 days.