Fabrication of superhydrophobic coating from non-fluorine siloxanes via a one-pot sol–gel method

To fabricate a superhydrophobic and durable coating, non-fluorine siloxane solution for the coating was successfully synthesized via a facile one-pot method. The wetting properties and morphology of coatings with different concentration and adding time of additives were studied. Under condition of low water content, the coatings’ superhydrophobicity was improved with the increasing amount of ammonia content, water content, and low-surface-energy material (HTMS) content. However, too more ammonia or water or HTMS would sacrifice the coating’s integrality and lead to the cracking of it. The obtained coatings showed good superhydrophobicity and anti-UV property on plain and even curved substrates, including glass, metal, and polymer. Contact angle and sliding angle of the coating could reach 158° and 1.8°, respectively. What is more, coating on PET filter could be used for oil/water separation with an efficiency of 80%.