Dynamic covalent bonds enabled robust and self-healing superhydrophobic coatings with multifunctions

Inspired by plants and animals in nature, durable superhydrophobic surfaces have been successfully developed in the past decades. However, the practical application of these superhydrophobic surfaces suffers from poor mechanical and chemical stability after damage or longtime usage. Thus, effective silicone-based polymers are developed to prepare the intelligent self-healing and durable superhydrophobic coatings with multifunctions. The superhydrophobic coatings are composed of dynamic silicone polymers and silica nanoparticles, which can be applicable in various substrates with enhanced water repellency. The abundant hydrogen bonds and reversible B-O covalent bonds in the dynamic silicone polymers enable a strong binding force with the substrate and self-healing nature. Thus, the superhydrophobic coatings exhibit a high contact angle up to 159.3 degrees, and a low sliding angle of 6.9 degrees. Meanwhile, it displays mechanical stability against washing and abrasion damage, and chemical stability in acid and alkaline environment. Especially, it is capable of repairing the superhydrophobicity after damage due to the reversible association/dissociation of dynamic B-O covalent bonds in silicone polymers. In addition, the superhydrophobic cotton fabric shows excellent anti-fouling, self-cleaning, antibacterial property, and can be applied in oil-water separation with high efficiency. This robust and versatile superhydrophobic coatings without containing perfluoro-compounds are promising in commercial textile fishing treatment with low cost.