Abstract Scope |
This work presents a novel method to fabricate a transparent and robust superhydrophobic surface using siloxene. Although new two-dimensional (2D) materials have been widely explored, siloxene, despite its potential, has never been used in transparent superhydrophobic coatings due to its green color and the challenge of balancing transparency with hydrophobicity. A hierarchical morphology is achieved through siloxene integration and trichloromethylsilane polymerization, forming hydrophobic nanofibers. The resulting PMMA/siloxene coating exhibits a 156° contact angle, a 5° sliding angle, excellent self-cleaning properties, and over 80% optical transmission. It also demonstrates resistance to abrasion, UV exposure, temperature variations, and water jets, ensuring long-term durability. This study highlights the feasibility of transparent siloxene-based superhydrophobic coatings, offering a promising solution to prevent and delay ice formation in extreme cold environments. |