Fabrication of a durable hierarchical structure towards superhydrophobicity using functionalized ZnO/PDMS on maleic rosin-modified wood

Certain drawbacks, such as hydrophilicity and dimensional instability due to moisture changes, limit wood applications. Environmental-friendly superhydrophobic coatings with a hierarchical structure could enhance the water resistance of wood. In this study, a long-lasting superhydrophobic coating was successfully fabricated by 3-(trimethoxylcyl)propyl methacrylate (TMPS) functionalized ZnO nanoparticles and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) on the maleic rosin (MAR) modified wood surface at room temperature. According to the results, MAR and functionalized ZnO nanoparticles, respectively, by creating the chemical modification and rough surface under PDMS, have improved the physical properties of wood. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis also confirmed the reaction of wood with MAR, the presence of TMPS-modified ZnO nanoparticles, and the PDMS coating on the surface. In field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs, a suitable hierarchical structure was observed, in which PDMS served as a binding agent for preserving zinc oxide nanoparticles on the surface modified with MAR. The strong adhesion of PDMS to the modified wood surface, and the firmly immobilized TMPS- ZnO nanoparticles resulted in satisfactory abrasion resistance of the superhydrophobic structure. Consequently, a superhydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of 161° was developed based on a hierarchical structure involving nanoparticles/silicones coating on MAR-modified wood.