Facile Preparation of Hydrophobic Coatings Using Modified ZnO/Silica Composite Nanoparticles

Collecting urine samples from cats is a significant challenge for veterinarians due to their instinctive behavior to bury waste. The introduction of superhydrophobic cat soil, which prevents urine absorption, offers an innovative solution. This not only simplifies the diagnostic process for veterinarians but also significantly reduces stress for pets and their owners. In this study, we synthesized a hydrophobic coating using zinc oxide/silica composite nanoparticles (ZnO/SiO2 CNPs) modified with perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) compounds for various surfaces such as soil, sand, stone, and glass. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and zinc acetate dihydrate were used as precursors, while FDTS was employed for surface modification. The prepared ZnO/SiO2 composite sol was sprayed onto different coatings, and the resulting hydrophobicity was confirmed by water contact angles, with an average angle of 110.3 degrees for cat soil. Structural and morphological features of the synthesized ZnO/SiO2 CNPs were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, EDX, and FESEM techniques. The chemical resistance of the coated stone was tested in acidic and neutral environments, showing better hydrophobicity in the neutral condition. The study highlights the potential of this composite to enhance agricultural practices in arid regions, facilitate pet urine collection in veterinary medicine, and offer various environmental benefits.