A Facile, Multifunctional, Transparent, and Superhydrophobic Coating Based on a Nanoscale Porous Structure Spontaneously Assembled from Branched Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

An ideal nanoscale porous structure for both transparency and superhydrophobicity is proposed and achieved by the spontaneous assembling of branched silica nanoparticles during wipe-coating, based on the analysis of current research status and actual requirements. Multifunctional transparent and superhydrophobic coatings with water impinging resistance, long-time water repellency, renewability, and temperature stability are fabricated on a series of material surfaces. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.