Preparation and Applicability of a Flexible Superhydrophobic Surface

Superhydrophobic surfaces have broad application prospects in the fields of self-cleaning, anti-icing, and fluid drag reduction. However, due to the small size and complex structure of micro-nano structures, there is still a serious shortage of durability in engineering applications. Soft and elastic materials can resist mechanical damage by dispersing energy through deformation, which is of great value and significance in the construction of durable superhydrophobic surfaces. In this study, a convenient and environmentally friendly method was used to prepare a flexible PDMS superhydrophobic surface, and the effect of different spraying times on surface wettability was studied. On this basis, the applicability of the PDMS superhydrophobic surface was evaluated by high and low temperature environment experiments. The results show that with the increase in spraying times, the contact angle of the PDMS surface increases first and then decreases, and the rolling angle decreases first and then increases. The better spraying times are 3 times, the contact angle is 165.52 °, and the rolling angle is 2.06 °. The flexible superhydrophobic surface can be attached to the surface of different materials and substrates with different structures, which delays the accumulation of water vapor on the surface into water flow in high temperature environments and inhibits the frosting of the surface in low-temperature environments. The research has reference significance and wide application prospects for improving the flooding and frosting problems of equipment.