Hierarchical
functional organic–inorganic hybrid particles
for versatile control of surface wettability have attracted much attention
in a wide range of applications from makeup cosmetics to anti-smudging
optoelectronic devices. In this study, superhydrophobic and oleophobic
organic–inorganic hybrid particles were prepared by a simple
and systematic fabrication strategy using the synergistic combination
of commonly available silica particles and polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs)
with hydrophobic chain ends. Various types of PDMSs with different
chain lengths and chemical structures were surface-grafted to silica
microparticles through facile physical dispersion and subsequent thermal
treatment to form hydrogen bonds or covalent bonds between the inorganic
silica and organic PDMS polymers and thus induce a core–shell
structure for the hybrid particles, which imparts superhydrophobicity
and oleophobicity to the surface of silica particles. The prepared
PDMS-coated silica hybrid particles with long PDMS chains exhibited
a water contact angle of 151.2° and an oil contact angle of 15.2°
due to the rough surface morphology and hydrophobic long-chain effects.
Furthermore, the resulting organic–inorganic hybrid particles
were thermally stable up to 420 °C. This controlled approach
endowed the organic–inorganic hybrid particles with both superhydrophobic
and oleophobic surfaces and, therefore, these particles were proven
to be suitable for waterproof applications.
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