Omniphobic Surfaces

Nothing sticks to these surfaces

A new generation of omniphobic surfaces: ionogel-based coatings


CIDETEC has developed a disruptive family of coatings, based on innovative ionogels, that exhibit omniphobic functionality since they are able to repel not only water, oil and organic solvents, but also other species such as greases, ketchup and mustard.

WO2018122428A1
Coatings having repellent function and use thereof

Concept

By combining a covalently anchored cross-linked polymer coating and non-volatile lubricants in an appropriate manner, a single-phase ionogel coating can be formed. The physico-chemical properties and functionality of the resulting coating can be adjusted by adding tailored functional groups to both building blocks (i.e. cross-linked polymer and lubricant). In particular, wettability of these versatile coatings may be tailored, reaching high repellency to fluids (i.e. omniphobicity).

Biomimetic fluid-repellent surfaces

Omniphobic
Slippery Liquid infused
Porous Surfaces (SLIPS)

  • Nepenthes-like.
  • Nanostructured surfaces retaining a liquid lubricant, which repels other fluids.
  • Omniphobic functionality.

Superhydrophobic
hierarchical surfaces

  • Lotus leaf-like.
  • Hierarchical morphology.
  • Hydrophobic functionality.

Sliding occurs at very low tilting


Excellent slippery but high contact angles may also be possible

SLIPS vs. superhydrophobic

Enhanced fluid slippery (i.e. even at modest contact angles).

No absolute need of hierarchical morphologies => wide room for transparency and enhanced robustness.

CIDETEC’s omniphobic ionogel coatings vs. SLIPS


SLIPS limitations:

  • Weak bonding to the substrate.
  • Loss of lubricant (e.g. evaporation…).
  • Mechanical robustness of the nanostructure (needed for high contact angles).

CIDETEC’s omniphobic ionogel coatings*:

  • Covalent bonding to the substrate.
  • Cross-linked polymers.
  • Non volatile lubricants.
  • Single phase (i.e. ionogel) coatings.
  • Wide versatility for customization.

* W=2018/122428 A 1

Opportunities

The omniphobic effect can be achieved on a wide range of materials: glass, metals, ceramics, polymers, papers...providing straightforward self-cleaning, anti-soiling and anti-icing solutions for different applications and sectors such as automotive, oil&gas, marine, buildings, packaging, paper industry.

SELF-CLEANING AND
ANTI-FOGGING
TRANSPARENT GLASS
SURFACES

HYDROPHOBIC AND
OLEOPHOBIC EFFECT OF
THE MIRROR INCREASING
VISIBILITY

ANTI-ICING AND
ANTI-FOGGING COATING
HEADLIGHTS, RADOMES,
AIRCRAFT WINGS,...

ANTI-STAIN AND
SELF-CLEANING TEXTILES

PERFECT, TRANSPARENT
AND HYGIENIC OPTICAL
APPEARANCE FOR TOUCH
PANELS

ANTI-BACTERIAL,
ANTI-STICK AND
EASY-TO-CLEAN
HANDLES AND SEVERAL
COMPONENTS THAT
IMPROVE THE SOCIAL
WELLNESS

More info


 

Dr. Eva García-Lecina

DIRECTOR OF THE CIDETEC INSTITUTE FOR SURFACE ENGINEERING

 

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