Fabrication of decoupling coatings with robustness and superhydrophobicity for anti-icing and anti-corrosion applications

Metals with anti-icing and anti-corrosion properties are necessary in marine fields. Here, a robust decoupling superhydrophobic coating with anti-icing and anti-corrosion performance was fabricated by sequential spraying unmodified micron-sized SiO 2 particles and modified nano-sized TiO 2 particles. The unmodified micron-sized SiO 2 particles with sturdiness act as a protective framework for the modified nano-sized TiO 2 particles with superhydrophobicity, which effectively enhance the robustness of coatings. Consequently, the decoupling coating reveals the excellent superhydrophobicity (contact angle > 157°, roll off angle < 5°) and promising robustness (the friction coefficient of ~ 0.25). In addition, the superhydrophobic property endows the coating with admirable anti-icing performance, in which the icing time of decoupling coating is about 10 times of the substrate. The synergistic effect of epoxy resin adhesive layer and superhydrophobicity enables the decoupling coating exhibit excellent anti-corrosion property in electrochemical measurements and immersion tests. Therefore, the decoupling superhydrophobic coating with significant performance advantages could expand the application fields of other various solids.