Super hydrophobic self-stratified coating based on epoxy terminated polyurethane/siloxane nano-composite

Recently, the application of superhydrophobic coatings on insulators has emerged as an effective strategy for mitigating risks and damages. In the current investigation, a superhydrophobic coating formulated with polyurethane (PU) prepolymer and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been developed, featuring a surface layer of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) modified with fluoroalkyl silane (FAS). The identification of peaks within the ranges of 567, 650, 747, and 898 cm(- 1), corresponding to CF, CF2, and CF3 bonds, along with the reduction of the peak associated with the hydroxyl group around 3433 cm(-1), substantiates the interaction between FAS13 and SiO2 nanoparticles. The resultant coating exhibited a 39% increase in hydrophobicity compared to the coating without nanoparticles. The surface modification of nanoparticles resulted in an escalated degradation rate for the USMN sample, reaching a temperature range of 300 to 400 degrees C. This phenomenon is attributed to the interaction between the hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle's surface and the Si-O bonds present in the FAS13 composition, leading to increased thermal resistance of the nanoparticle. This study successfully produced a PDMS/PU coating utilizing modified SiO2 particles through a self-stratified approach. This coating acts as an adhesive layer for high-voltage insulation surfaces, effectively protecting against water intrusion and dust accumulation. [GRAPHICS] .