Selective liquid repellence and tackling COVID-19
A recently published review focuses on surface engineering using PDMS and functionalised nanoparticles for superhydrophobic coatings.
Recently, synthesis and design of bioinspired nanostructured coated surfaces with exceptional selective liquid repellency (superhydrophobicity) have been a fascinating area of research because of their excellent utility in various applications from our daily life to industry level. In this context, superhydrophobic coatings by the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) along with functionalised nanoparticles have been reported widely for oil/water separation, antimicrobial ability and antiviral surface coatings to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. PDMS is mechanically stable and highly flexible silicone polymer and can be irreversibly bound to various types of surfaces in order to provide superhydrophobicity.
Latest innovations
The new review highlights the latest innovations in the research area of PDMS based nano-engineered superhydrophobic coatings on various surfaces. Particular attention has been paid toward the application of such superhydrophobic surfaces for the separation of oily contaminants from water as well as antimicrobial and antiviral efficacy in order to reduce the transmission of toxic pathogens including COVID-19. Technical breakthrough and mechanistic concepts behind the success of PDMS based superhydrophobic coatings have been reviewed and discussed in these selected applications.
The review has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 171, October 2022.
