Super-robust superhydrophobic concrete
Superhydrophobic materials are promising candidates to alleviate freeze-thaw damages and steel corrosion in reinforced concrete. Researchers have developed a superhydrophobic concrete that overcomes previous mechanical strength problems.
They report a facile route to fabricate superhydrophobic S-concrete via metal mesh covering and fluoroalkylsilane modification.
Remarkable functional properties
Comparative robustness tests, including sandpaper abrasion, knife scratch and hammer beat, were performed on commercial superhydrophobic paint and adhesive coatings and S-concrete, which indicated that S-concrete had far superior surface mechanical durability. To illustrate the practical prospects, the scientists performed further tests, including artificial cold rain, freeze-thaw, and corrosion under applied voltage in corrosive solution. The S-concrete showed remarkable anti-icing, anti-freeze-thaw, and anti-corrosion properties, and mechanical robustness.
The study is published in: Journal of Materials Chemistry, Issue 28, 2017.
