Synthesis of mesoporous silica-shell/oil-core microspheres for common waterborne polymer coatings with robust superhydrophobicity

Superhydrophobic coatings have attracted considerable attention in recent years, but remain a critical challenge in practical applications such as long-term self-healing, highly efficient and massive production, common water-based resin systems, etc. Herein, we synthesize a kind of novel mesoporous silica-shell/oil-core microspheres (SOMs) directly using silicone oils as templates. As high as 60.2% of oil can be loaded in the hollow spheres. Moreover, the mean diameters and the void size of SOMs are readily adjusted through changing the types and contents of oils. The mesoporous shells of SOMs can guarantee the quick release of oils. When these SOMs are used as fillers for non-silicon and non-fluorine common waterborne resin systems such as waterborne polyurethane, the obtained coating surfaces demonstrate excellent and robust superhydrophobicity.