Transparent and abrasion-resistant superhydrophobic coating with robust self-cleaning function in either air or oil

This paper reports an easy method to prepare a transparent superhydrophobic coating which shows a robust resistance to oil contamination, knife-scratch, sandpaper abrasion and strong acid/base attack. A PDMS interlayer was introduced to support the partially embedded fluoroalkylsilane treated silica nanoparticles, and thus the coating retained superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning properties after knife-scratch or 9 sandpaper abrasion cycles. An OSP scraping ink bar was introduced to control the thickness of the silica nanoparticle suspension, and thus the coating shows good transparency for visible light. Moreover, this transparent superhydrophobic coating shows self-cleaning properties in either air or oil environment.