Study on fabrication of superhydrophobic and superparamagnetic functional coatings and its properties

Superhydrophobic and superparamagnetic magnetite/silica composite was prepared by combining of the organic and inorganic materials in the present work. The resulting products were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transfer infrared spectrometer (FTIR), Thermal Gravity Analysis (TG) and water contact angle measurement (CA), respectively. The morphologies of the composite were spherical particles with diameters from 40 to 80 nm seen from SEM. The results from FTIR and TG indicated that 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) had grafted onto vinyl-terminated Fe3O4 nanoparticles via covalent bonds. Surface wetting properties of the P (HFBA)-g-Fe3O4@MPS nanoparticles were evaluated by measuring water contact angle, which were measured to be 154.6°. Moreover, based on the magnetism analysis of the resulting products, they had superparamagnetic property. The double functional repairable coatings enlarged potential applications of the superhydrophobic surfaces.

► Superhydrophobic and superparamagnetic magnetite/silica coatings were fabricated.
► The fluoropolymer was grafted on vinyl-terminated Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
► The coatings had good superhydrophobic property in the pH range from 2 to 12.
► The easy regeneracy of the coating was expected to satisfy the practical application.