A substrate-independent transparent UV-curable coating with excellent anti-smudge performance

Anti-smudge coatings are recognized as being strongly desirable because they are able to repel numerous contaminants and maintain surfaces spotless without cleaning. However, a simple preparation process suitable for various substrates has rarely been reported. Herein, a novel UV-curable transparent anti-smudge coating with adjustable wetting properties was prepared. Introducing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a low surface energy additive and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as a crosslinking agent to a polyurethane acrylate (PUA) skeleton results in a coating that shows dynamic dewetting performance as well as extensive repellency to water- and oil-borne contaminants, including graffiti, ink, cooking oil, and salt solution. Additionally, owing to the advantages of a non-thermal and rapid UV-curing strategy, the obtained coating can be applied to a variety of substrates including heat-sensitive materials. This study provides unique insights into the design and fabrication of functional coatings aimed at dewetting surfaces, membrane separation, and petroleum and biomedical engineering applications.