Synergistic module integration in a transparent coating for omniphobicity, cryogenic toughness and self-lubrication

The protection of equipment in harsh environments necessitates more stringent performance requirements for protective coatings. This study presents an all-in-one construction strategy that integrates three components, including brush-like organosilicon modified polyacrylic resin (Si-PA, functional module 1), isocyanate-end organosilicon polyurethane (Si-PU, functional module 2), and hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer (HDIT, crosslinking module 3) to develop a high-strength transparent coating, exhibiting omniphobicity, self-cleaning, low-temperature toughness, and self-lubrication. Within the coating system, the Si-PA component imparts omniphobic, self-cleaning, and self-lubricating properties via its pendant polysiloxane side chains. The Si-PU component significantly enhances the coating's toughness in cold ambience, increasing it from 429 kJ/m 3 to 1282 kJ/m 3 at −50 °C. The crosslinker HDIT provides a high degree of crosslinking and contributes to the coating's high strength, while also enhancing its self-lubricating and anti-stain performances. In addition, the coating exhibits remarkable durability under harsh conditions, including exposure to organic solvent corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, immersion in hot water and salt solutions, and 20,000 friction cycles, while maintaining its hydrophobicity. Notably, these room-temperature curing coatings can be applied to various substrate surfaces to form a transparent hydrophobic protective layer. Overall, this work presents an important approach for the design and fabrication of multifunctional protective coatings through the regulation of three distinct components.