SiO2 nanoparticle-containing superhydrophobic materials with enhanced durability via facile and scalable spray method

Abstract It still remains a great challenge to fabricate superhydrophobic materials with excellent durability and mechanical stability by facile and scalable methods, and which is also one of the most important practical application limitations for superhydrophobic materials. In this work, various superhydrophobic materials were fabricated by the scalable two-step spraying method. Grounded on the strong bonding strength of polydopamine (PDA) intermediate layer, the as-prepared superhydrophobic materials exhibited outstanding durability and mechanical stability. The materials maintained the superhydrophobicity even after long time exposure in a variety of harsh environments such as strong acid/base, organic solvent, and UV light irradiation as well as long distance of mechanical abrasion. In addition, the superhydrophobic materials revealed excellent oil-absorption and releasing performance, and the absorption-releasing process could be repeated many times without the reduction of oil absorption capacity. Therefore, the environment-friendly and scalable preparation method along with the outstanding durability, mechanical stability, and oil absorption capability of superhydrophobic materials would find wide application in industrial production and environmental remediation.