A mechanically robust superhydrophobic conductive coating based on amino-epoxy reaction

The physical mixing of inorganic fillers and a polymer matrix is a common method for constructing superhydrophobic coatings. Nevertheless, the interface bonding strength between the polymer and nanofiller was weak. The construction of interacting covalent bonds is a potential solution. In this study, carbon nanotubes were modified by aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and fluorosilane, and the reaction between the amino groups in APTES and -NCO(curing agent N3390) improved the bonding strength. Thus, the coatings maintained superhydrophobicity even after 260 abrasion cycles, 200 tape-peeling cycles, 18-day heat treatment, and acid/alkali attack. Furthermore, the corrosion current density could be reduced by three orders of magnitude compared with that of bare steel.