Durable Gradient Liquid‐Like Coating via PECVD for Long‐Term Pipeline Scale Resistance

Abstract Scaling severely impairs the efficiency, safety, and service life of industrial pipelines. While anti‐scaling coatings offer an efficient and environmental‐friendly solution, their long‐term durability remains challenging. Herein, a robust gradient liquid‐like coating (gLLC) is fabricated via plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition for long‐term anti‐scaling applications. By integrating a rigid inorganic bulk that gradually transitions to surface enriched in mobile polysiloxane chains, the gLLC combines exceptional mechanical strength (modulus = 14.39 ± 0.17 GPa; hardness = 1.57 ± 0.03 GPa) with dynamic liquid repellency (hexadecane sliding angle = 3°; water sliding angle = 11°). The fluorine‐free coating demonstrates potent anti‐scaling efficacy against CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 under both static and dynamic conditions, achieving over 75% reduction in scaling mass on stainless steel substrates. Remarkably, the gLLC maintains superior performance over a 90‐day dynamic recirculation test, with scale accumulation limited to 1.5 mg cm −2 , representing one of the best long‐term performance of anti‐scaling coatings reported to date. Furthermore, the gLLC reduces scale deposition by 89% under oil‐water emulsion. The outstanding scale resistance is attributed to the low‐energy, smooth, and dynamically mobile surface combined with the mechanically durable gradient structure. This work establishes a scalable and environmentally benign strategy for durable anti‐scaling surfaces, offering broad potential for deployment in petroleum, chemical, and water treatment industries.