Development of super repellent nano-composite coatings based on functionalised nano-silica

Highly repellent surfaces are needed in a large number of industrial sectors, where the accumulation of unwanted contamination (ice, debris, insects etc…) can have a significant impact on the operational performance of... [ view full abstract ]

Highly repellent surfaces are needed in a large number of industrial sectors, where the accumulation of unwanted contamination (ice, debris, insects etc…) can have a significant impact on the operational performance of affect parts. Ice formation on wind turbines, insect accretion on aircraft and dust build-up on solar panel all introduce major costs to industry and are an ongoing cause of failure. Current mitigation technologies rely on active processes such as electrical heating, application of de-icing chemicals, manual cleaning etc. These can be expensive, time consuming, inefficient and sometime damaging to the environment. Emerging technologies for nanostructured coatings have significant potential for the development of very high performance surfaces. However, the lack of retention of functional performance is widely recognised as the primary barrier to industrial adoption.

The aim of this work is to develop novel durable highly repellent coatings that can be customised depending on: the application, the contamination and the operational environment. A materials-by-design approach has been developed where nanoscale silica nanoparticles are being designed to provide reinforcement to conventional coatings or composite materials and also to allow surface roughness. The introduction of multiple functionalities onto the surface of nanoscale silica is a key enabler for the development of a mechanically durable and highly repellent material. These nanoparticles are designed to allow high loading into the resin matrix without affecting its viscosity and homogeneity. The surface chemistry of the nanoparticles can be adjusted to allow crosslinking with the polymer matrix and the full integration of the nanoparticle within the network and thereby creating a more durable resin without the associated brittleness. Moreover, at the surface, the nanoparticles are expected to both improve erosion resistance and, by use of suitable surface chemistry provide significantly enhanced non-wetting characteristics leading to a new route to durable, repellent materials.

This development will have far-reaching impact across a wide range of sectors, including aviation and energy generation.