Preparation of amphiphobic coating by combining fluoroalkyl silane with nano-SiO2

Amphiphobic surfaces are being promisingly applied in numerous fundamental and industrial applications. A transparent amphiphobic coating was fabricated by combining fluoroalkyl silane copolymer (PFAS) with SiO2 nanoparticles. Dodecafluoroheptylmethacrylate (DFMA) and -methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (-MPS) were monomers, and PFAS was prepared via free-radical polymerization. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and SiO2 nanoparticles were added in PFAS solution to obtain a homogeneous hybrid sol. The hybrid sol was coated on glass surfaces. After drying, a transparent and amphiphobic hybrid coating was obtained. The visible-light transmittance of the hybrid coating on the glass surface ranged from 85% to 90%. The contact angle (CA) of the hybrid coating for water, ethylene glycol and hexadecane were 153 degrees, 150 degrees, 115 degrees. The hybrid coating had a great thermal stability below 280 degrees C. The hardness and adhesion of the hybrid coating could reach 1 grade and H, respectively. This is expected to be a facile, cost-effective method to obtain transparent amphiphobic surfaces.