Engineered functional segments enabled mechanically robust, photothermal self-healing, recyclable, and durable rosin-based superhydrophobic composite coatings

Abstract

Superhydrophobic coatings often face limited applications due to short service life. Therefore, imparting photothermal self-healing capabilities to these coatings can significantly extend their service life and promote material sustainability. Herein, we engineered oxime−carbamate, multiple hydrogen bonds, and fluorine-modified polydopamine particles (PDA@FAS) to develop durable, rosin-based superhydrophobic composite coatings (POUR/PDA@FAS). Incorporating PDA@FAS and rigid tricyclic phenanthrene skeleton of rosin in the composites confers impressive mechanical properties, including high strength (33.6 ± 1.2 MPa), impressive elongation at break (956 ± 17 %), exceptional toughness (125.2 ± 2.7 MJ m⁻³). PDA@FAS, acting as both a photothermal agent and a hydrophobic segment, enabled superior superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of 163.1 ± 1.5°), efficient photothermal conversion (reaching up to 148.5 °C under near-infrared irradiation within 30 s), and excellent photothermal self-healing efficiency (up to 93.9 ± 0.7 % within 40 s). These coatings also exhibit excellent self-cleaning, antifouling, and deicing properties and maintain their superhydrophobicity despite mechanical damage, chemical exposure, and sunlight. This work offers a novel design approach for creating next-generation high-performance superhydrophobic coatings that integrate high robustness, ductility, self-repairability, reusability, durability and sustainability.