Efficiency of the Use of Commercial Superhydrophobic Coatings in the Fields of Marine Industry

The antifouling and condensation properties of the Rust-Oleum Neverwet and Ultra Ever Dry systems have been experimentally studied in order to employ the effect of superhydrophobicity under marine conditions. The experiments have shown that the deposited coatings hinder the appearance of first colonies at contact angles theta(C) >= 130 degrees. The rate of condensation on a superhydrophobic surface is increased by 8-13% relative to that on an untreated surface. However, at the initial stage, the increase in the condensation rate is due to the larger specific area of the rough surface as compared with the smooth surface. A high heat-transfer coefficient can be provided by the transition of droplets into the Cassie-Baxter state, with this transition depending on the texture of a surface and the properties of water vapor. Nevertheless, there are substantial problems that must be solved to make such coatings applicable. First, their microstructure must be rather strong to withstand the conditions of a marine medium. Second, the coating must remain superhydrophobic for a long time. Additional studies and elaborations must be carried out before employing superhydrophobic coatings under real conditions.