Facile approach for preparation of stable water-repellent nanoparticle coating

The present study reports a very simple and low-cost dip-coating method for the preparation of fluorine-free water-repellent SiO2 nanoparticle coating. The coating has a high water contact angle of 169° and a sliding angle of 7°, showing superhydrophobic property. The coating demonstrates good adhesion on substrates and the long-term stability. Importantly, the coating also demonstrates superhydrophobicity in the wide pH range of corrosive liquids. It is found that a piece of glass coated with superhydrophobic coatings cannot only float freely on water surface but also exhibit striking loading capacities.

► Fluorine-free superhydrophobic nanoparticle coating was fabricated by a simple dip-coating method without any chemical modification. ► The surfaces retained good superhydrophobic stability in long-term storage with a high water contact angle and a low sliding angle. ► The superhydrophobic surface possessed good adhesion strength to substrate and mechanical stability, which would enhance its potential for practical application.