Transparent hard self-cleaning nano-hybrid coating on polymeric substrate
For a recent study GPTMS-silica nano-hybrid coatings were immobilised on PC substrates. The coating enhanced the transmission of the PC substrates and increased the WCA of the surface.
For the research, GPTMS-silica nano-hybrid coatings were immobilised on polycarbonate (PC) substrates by a sol-gel method. Perfluorooctyl-trichlorosilane (PFTS) was utilised to modify the prepared nano-hybrid coating surface. The modified nano-hybrid coatings were characterised by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), UV–vis-NIR spectrophotometer, and water contact angle analyzer methods. In addition, the self-cleaning properties of the nano-hybrid coatings were investigated.
Improved hardness and transmittance of PC substrate
The results indicated that the formation of the nano-hybrid film improved the hardness and transmittance of the PC substrate. FE-SEM image indicated the formation of the crack free coating on the PC substrate. In addition, the modified nano-hybrid coating displays hydrophobicity (CA, 110°) and is very efficient at removing dust through water droplets.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 128, Pages 120-126.
