Hydrophobic, self-healing coating and coated substrate, and fabrication method
A hydrophobic, self-healing coating includes a vitrimer film having a silicone polymer network crosslinked with dynamic covalent bonds including a boronic ester, where the vitrimer film has a thickness of less than 1000 nm, and where the dynamic covalent bonds provide a mechanism for self-healing of the vitrimer film.
1 . A hydrophobic, self-healing coating comprising:
a vitrimer film comprising a silicone polymer network crosslinked with dynamic covalent bonds comprising a boronic ester,
wherein the vitrimer film has a thickness of less than 100 nm,
wherein the dynamic covalent bonds provide a mechanism for self-healing of the vitrimer film, wherein the self-healing is achieved autonomously at room temperature, and
wherein the vitrimer film shows no signs of degradation as quantified by the lack of formation of water blisters or increased contact angle hysteresis for at least 17 days while undergoing steam condensation, and/or wherein the vitrimer film exhibits stable dropwise condensation for at least 17 days while undergoing steam condensation.
2 . The hydrophobic, self-healing coating of claim 1 , wherein the silicone polymer network comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
3 . The hydrophobic, self-healing coating of claim 1 , wherein the vitrimer film is optically transparent.
4 . The hydrophobic, self-healing coating of claim 1 , wherein the vitrimer film is fluorine-free.
5 . The hydrophobic, self-healing coating of claim 1 , wherein the vitrimer film has a thickness in a range from about 1 nm to about 10 nm.
6 . The hydrophobic, self-healing coating of claim 1 , wherein the vitrimer film exhibits an advancing contact angle (θ a ) of 80° or higher with respect to water and/or a contact angle hysteresis from about 0° to about 40° with respect to water.
7 . The hydrophobic, self-healing coating of claim 1 , wherein the vitrimer film maintains durability after exposure to mechanical damage including scratching, cutting, indenting, and/or steam condensation.
8 . A coated substrate displaying self-healing capability and hydrophobicity comprising:
a substrate comprising a metal, an alloy, a ceramic, a glass, and/or a semiconductor;
a vitrimer film on the substrate, the vitrimer film comprising a silicone polymer network crosslinked with dynamic covalent bonds comprising a boronic ester,
wherein the vitrimer film has a thickness of less than 100 nm,
wherein the dynamic covalent bonds provide a mechanism for self-healing of the vitrimer film, wherein the self-healing is achieved autonomously at room temperature, and
wherein the vitrimer film shows no signs of degradation as quantified by the lack of formation of water blisters or increased contact angle hysteresis for at least 17 days while undergoing steam condensation, and/or wherein the vitrimer film exhibits stable dropwise condensation for at least 17 days while undergoing steam condensation.
9 . The coated substrate of claim 8 , wherein the substrate is part or all of a heat exchanger, a solar panel, a wind turbine, or a building or vehicle.
10 . The coated substrate of claim 8 , wherein the metal or alloy comprises aluminum, copper, stainless steel, titanium, and/or a nickel superalloy.
11 . The coated substrate of claim 8 , wherein the vitrimer film comprises a surface energy of about 30 mJ/m 2 or less.
12 . The coated substrate of claim 8 , wherein the vitrimer film is resistant to icing, corrosion, bacteria, and/or fouling.
13 . A heat transfer component comprising the coated substrate of claim 8 for use in water treatment, power generation, petroleum refining, food processing, aviation, naval applications, and/or heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems.