Superhydrophobic Self-Healing Coatings Comprised of Hemispherical Particles Arrays Decorated by Fluorocarbon-Coated Nanoscale Fe₂O₃ Rods and SiO₂ Particles

Inspired by the compound eye superhydrophobic phenomenon, the hemispherical particles with a concave (HPCs) were prepared and self-assembled into a similar array structure. To improve the roughness and mechanical durability properties, the nanoscale Fe₂O₃ nanorods modified by 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FSA) were coated on the particles (HPC@Fe₂O₃) and then the SiO₂ particles modified by FSA were deposited onto HPC@Fe₂O₃ arrays to mimic the nanoscale nipples of a compound eye. The obtained arrays show excellent superhydrophobic properties (the contact angle is 175°, and the sliding angle is 3.5°), which are mainly attributed to the stable micro/nanoscale air-cushion structure’s greatly reduced contact of water drops. After that, the self-healable poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (NH₂-PDMS) elastomer was introduced as a substrate, and the composite structure can be self-healed in 2 min at room temperature after being damaged, which greatly enhances the lifespan of the superhydrophobic film. This kind of biomimicry material combining the superhydrophobic with the self-healable property has promising applications in artificial skins, wearable devices, and so on.