Transparent Surfactant/Epoxy Composite Coatings with Self‐Healing and Superhydrophilic Properties

Abstract

In this paper, highly transparent, robust, and superhydrophilic polyethylene glycol tert‐octylphenyl ether nonionic surfactant/epoxy (Triton X‐100/epoxy, TXE) composite coatings are successfully prepared with a facile, one‐step drop‐casting method by mixing Triton X‐100 with an epoxy resin and an amine curing agent. The hydrogen bond reaction between the hydroxyl group of Triton X‐100 and the ether group of the epoxy resin improves the compatibility and reduces the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the TXE composite coatings. The free Triton X‐100 surfactant easily accumulates on the surface of the TXE composite coatings, which improves the hydrophilicity of the TXE composite coatings. The TXE composite coatings are self‐healable because of their low Tg and the migration of Triton X‐100 small molecule surfactant. Any damage arising from denting, cutting, or wiping by tetrahydrofuran can be healed, and the composite coating can regain its superhydrophilic properties through a heating process. The TXE composite coatings demonstrate excellent acid, alkali, salt, high temperature, and ultrasonic‐resistant properties. This facile preparation technique has the potential to be applied in the scalable fabrication of multifunctional coatings in anti‐fogging, oil–water separation, and optical–electric devices.

Nacre‐Inspired Mineralized Films with High Transparency and Mechanically Robust Underwater Superoleophobicity

“…More importantly, mechanical properties of the NIM films are much higher than those of the previously reported underwater transparent superoleophobic materials ( Figure S13, Supporting Information). [10,38,[44][45][46][47] Therefore, our transparent NIM films offer new opportunities for developing highly transparent coatings for various underwater applications.…”