Self-Cleaning Coatings Based on Fluorinated Graphene Hybrids

Fluorinated graphene nanosheets, a rising star among graphene derivatives due to its remarkable chemical reactivity, intrinsic hydrophobicity, and simple integration with other materials besides dispersion processability in multiple solvents has witnessed rapid strides in self-cleaning technologies in the last decade. The rise of fluorinated graphene (FG) nanosheet hybrids integrated with polymers, metal organic frameworks (MOF) and macrostructures display outstanding physio-chemical properties, hierarchical porosities, mechanical/chemical stabilities and super-wetting functions. In this chapter, we highlight the multi-facetted features of fluorinated graphene hybrid coatings displaying self-cleaning action chiefly directed toward oil-water/emulsion separation, anti-corrosion protection, electrical insulation, superior thermal conductivity and low dielectric constant structures. The future of FG hybrid coatings foresees on scalability and large area production, environmental compatibility, durable special-wettability towards water/fog harvesting devices, desalination membranes and liquid-liquid separation.