Formation of Superhydrophobic Coatings Based on Dispersion Compositions of Hexyl Methacrylate Copolymers with Glycidyl Methacrylate and Silica Nanoparticles

In the last decade, the task of developing environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods for obtaining stable superhydrophobic coatings has become topical. In this study, we examined the effect of the concentrations of filler and polymer binder on the hydrophobic properties and surface roughness of composite coatings made from organic-aqueous compositions based on hexyl methacrylate (HMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers. Silicon dioxide nanoparticles were used as a filler. A single-stage "all-in-one" aerosol application method was used to form the coatings without additional intermediate steps for attaching the adhesive layer or texturing the substrate surface, as well as pre-modification of the surface of filler nanoparticles. As the ratio of the mass fraction of polymer binder (Wn) to filler (Wp) increases, the coatings show the lowest roll-off angles among the whole range of samples studied. Coatings with an optimal mass fraction ratio (Wn/Wp = 1.2 ÷ 1.6) of the filler to polymer binder maintained superhydrophobic properties for 24 h in contact with a drop of water in a chamber saturated with water vapor and exhibited roll-off angles of 6.1° ± 1°.