One-step hydrothermal fabrication of COF/SiO2/POTS composite coating on cellulose-based cotton fabrics with superhydrophobic self-cleaning, light-induced color change, and self-healing anti-icing properties

Superhydrophobic textiles based on cellulose, a key biological macromolecule, are highly desirable for applications in extreme environments. In this study, we develop a multifunctional cellulose-based cotton fabric ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) by applying a facile one-step hydrothermal coating method, integrating covalent organic frameworks (COFs), silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 ), and perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (POTS) onto the fiber surface to form a robust CF-COF/SiO 2 /POTS composite coating. The hierarchical micro/nanostructure modifies the cellulose surface, achieving a water contact angle of 155.4 ± 0.9° and a sliding angle of 7.9 ± 0.7°. Modern analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, confirm the molecular interactions between cellulose and the coating, revealing enhanced surface stability. The coated cellulose fabric exhibits robust chemical stability across acidic (pH 2), alkaline (pH 12), and saline (1 mol/L NaCl) conditions, mechanical durability after 50 adhesion-peeling cycles, five laundering cycles, and 820 h of sunlight exposure, and effective anti-icing behavior with reduced ice adhesion and rapid superhydrophobicity recovery post-icing (−18 °C, 12 h) via mild heating (60 °C, 5 min). Notably, the fabric undergoes an irreversible color change under UV–visible irradiation (300–1100 nm, 133.4 mW/cm 2 ), with spectroscopic analyses indicating photochemical oxidation of hydroxyl groups, yet retaining superhydrophobicity. This work presents a novel strategy for functionalizing cellulose-based textiles, offering durable self-cleaning, anti-icing, and photochromic properties for applications in protective clothing, outdoor gear, and anti-counterfeiting systems.