Two-dimensional transparent hydrophobic coating based on liquid-phase exfoliated graphene fluoride

Transparent hydrophobic coatings were prepared with graphene fluoride (GF), which was fabricated by a mild and controllable approach of liquid-phase ultrasonic exfoliation of graphite fluoride (GiF) with a selected solvent of ethanol. The structure of the resulting GF sheets with nanoscale thickness was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive analysis show that C–F bonds from GiF are well preserved in the resulting GF by the method of liquid-phase ultrasonic exfoliation, which are responsible for its excellent hydrophobicity and light transmission. The obtained GF coating has a contact angle of 123° and light transmittance of up to 92% when GF mass density is 0.6 μg cm−2. Water erosion experiments and ultraviolet aging tests suggest these coatings may possess extended service life outdoors.