Controlled Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Silica Nanoparticles Via Surface-Grafted PDMS Modification

Superhydrophobic materials exhibit distinctive anti-adhesion, high-barrier, and self-cleaning characteristics. These properties endow them with significant applications in diverse areas of national economic construction, including high-end equipment, civil buildings, and printing and packaging. Superhydrophobic nanoparticles can be incorporated into ink selectively and then sprayed onto the substrate surface for surface modification, enabling the acquisition of specialized anti-adhesion materials. Alternatively, they can be added to polyurethane resins and silanes to formulate coatings. In this research, superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane-silica nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel method, achieving a contact angle exceeding 150°. By modulating the molecular weight and dosage of silicone oil (polydimethylsiloxane), the particle size, surface morphology, and wettability of the nanoparticles were precisely controlled. Moreover, an in-depth investigation was conducted into the underlying influencing mechanism. The hydrophobic surface was formed through the self-inhibition effect of the solution. The anti-fouling performance of the substrate material based on these nanoparticles was characterized using various liquid models, and all results indicated excellent anti-adhesion properties.