Superhydrophobic surface by atmospheric plasma process

Context

Super hydrophobic coatings are designed to cover an object’s surface in order to create liquid repellent surfaces. Current superhydrophobic processes involve both multi-step procedures and harsh conditions, and most methods used by industry today are expensive and only applicable to small scales, flat surfaces or limited materials.

Overview

LIST has developed a novel technology which we refer to as superamphiphobic, as this unique coating process can reduce surface resistance for both water and oil based liquids. It is a valuable alternative to current methods, as it provides a very fast, low cost and effective process to create superhydrophobic/superoleophobic surfaces for large scale application.

This technology is based on a plasma process performed at atmospheric pressure and a non-toxic fluorinated liquid precursor in order to obtain an ultrathin, super-hydrophobic coating at a nanoscale range. The principle of plasma polymerization of such precursors is perfectly controlled and optimized. Deposition conditions make it possible to obtain values of contact angle sessile drop method from 175 ° which are among the highest values reported to date.

Benefits

• Multisubstrate coating: on liquid surfaces, polymers, glasses, metals, papers, textiles, etc.
• High performance coating: minimum contact angle of 150° for water and 130° for hexadecane, substrates treated via our process result in an (Sa) between 50nm and 300nm
• Dry process: no use of solvent
• One step process with a high deposition rate (100 nm per minute)
• Low precursor consumption and moderate energy consumption with a high deposition yield (50%)
• Eco-friendly through the use of Material Safety Datasheet precursors, gases, with the possibility to recycle both gases and precursors
• Transparent coating: maintains aesthetic and optical properties
• Low manufacturing costs: by using inexpensive gases and cost-saving precursors
• Thermal stability of the polymer materials: up to 75°C with the same performances and up to 250°C for the thermal decomposition of the coating

Potential Applications

Hydrophobic and superhydrophic materials have a wide range of applications. Our technology is most efficient for the following:

• Self-cleaning surfaces (architectural/technical glasses)
• Condensation and icing control (glasses, polymers)
• Hydro protection (electronic components, paper sheets)
• Waterproof textiles (technical and luxury textiles)