Achieving high stability and anti-adherence performance of ZrO2 ceramic product via hydrophobic modified surface

ZrO 2 is widely used. However, surface hydrophilicity is harmful to waterproof devices. In this work, epoxy-based polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was chemically bonded to ZrO 2 sheet surface for weather-resistant hydrophobicity and anti-adherence property. First, ZrO 2 sheet was modified with hydroxyls, followed by amino modification. Then, surface POSS modification was performed via ring-opening addition. Next, composition and micro-morphology of POSS-treated sheet were clarified. Ultimately, the dependence of water contact angle of POSS-modified sheet on POSS solution treating time was researched, and the highest contact angle of 132.6° was gained by 24-h treating. Acid corrosion, alkali corrosion, and ultraviolet radiation for 48 h were employed to verify good weather resistance with contact angles over 120°. POSS-modified sheet had good anti-adherence capacity. Cooperation of POSS and ZrO 2 was utilized to obtain low surface energy and high surface roughness. This work might help to obtain hydrophobic ceramics as catalyst supports for oil-phase reactions.