Transparent hydrophilic-oleophobic waterborne coating for multifunctional applications

Multifunctional coatings have drawn enormous attention in the past few years in view of their fascinating abilities to respond to complex surroundings. In this study, we reported a waterborne multifunctional coating derived from aqueous polyisocyanate cross-linked with poly [2-(perfluorooctyl) ethyl methacrylate]-[methacryloyloxyethyl dimethyl butyl ammonium bromide]-[2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate] (pFOMA-MDBA-HEMA) copolymers. The combination of hydrophobic perfluorinated chain segment and hydrophilic quaternary ammonium salt endows the resultant coating multifunction upon exposure to different environments. For example, in water-rich surroundings, the coating surface exhibits oleophobicity underwater, self-cleaning, anti-fogging, antibacterial, anti-algal, and anti-icing properties due to the presence of hydrophilic quaternary ammonium groups. Benefiting from the low surface energy perfluorinated chain segment, the coating also shows the excellent anti-oil adhesion, wear resistance and UV aging resistance properties in dry air surroundings. Through the combination of these two components, the as-prepared pFOMA-MDBA-HEMA coating can cope with different environmental functional requirements both in air and underwater, which provides an environmentally friendly material with great potential application prospects in a variety of fields.