Mechanically Durable Superhydrophobic Nanocomposites from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

摘要

Here, we report on the development of nanocomposite coatings based on a combination of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with hydrophobically modified fumed silica (HMFS). In particular, one-step and two-step spray approaches are followed. In the one-step approach the two materias are mixed before spraying to form a nanocomposite while in the two-step approach they are sprayed as separate layers. In both cases, the coatings exhibit excellent superhydrophobic performance with static apparent contact angles greater than 160° and roll off angles less than 1°. Moreover, they are able to retain their extreme wetting properties after repeated cycles of mechanical abrasion. Their surface topography is investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) unveiling micron and nanoscale roughness features. Due to the simplicity and efficiency of this technique such coatings can find a wide range of industrial and engineering applications in vehicles, housing, motors, wind turbines, etc.