Fluorine-Free and Highly Durable Superhydrophobic Textiles for Antifouling and Anti-icing Applications

The toxicity of fluorosilane and the short lifespan of superhydrophobic surfaces have highly restricted the commercial application of superhydrophobic surfaces for antifouling and anti-icing. In this study, a robust and fluorine-free superhydrophobic textile was prepared using a facile spray-dry method. First, the hydrophobic coating was constructed via powerful covalent bonding between epoxy resin and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a cross-linker, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), which provided amplified adhesion to the substrate. Later, micropapillary and lotus-like structures were fabricated through the deposition of nanosilica, which significantly enhanced the “air pillow” effect of the superhydrophobicity. The obtained superhydrophobic surface exhibited a water contact angle up to 162°, which remained >150° after 1200 abrasive cycles. The nanoscale structure was found to be somewhat protected by large-scale micron features, e.g., fabrics, which hindered the formation of hydrophilic defects due to wear. Furthermore, the droplets remained beaded on the surface after enduring extreme physical and chemical conditions. Interestingly, the icing delay time on the fabricated coatings increased by ∼20 times. We believe that the robust nature and easy implementation of this hydrophobic coating along with its excellent anti-icing performance will make superhydrophobic and anti-icing clothing feasible for use in various practical scenarios.