Superhydrophobic nanocomposite coating combines anticorrosive and antibacterial functions

An international team of researchers has developed novel nanocomposite coatings based on cardanol polyurea doped with 1–5 % ceria nanoparticles. The synthesis employed an innovative solvent-free process, resulting in a sustainable fabrication route. Uniform distribution of ceria nanoparticles (12–20 nm) within the polyurea matrix led to improved thermal stability, mechanical strength, and hydrophobicity.

The resulting coating exhibited a contact angle of 150–155°, confirming its superhydrophobic character. Mechanically, the system achieved 100 % adhesion, 6H pencil hardness, high impact resistance, and a scratch hardness of 3.2 kg. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated a corrosion protection efficiency of 96 % over 18 days.

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Dual action: corrosion and bacteria protection

In addition to long-lasting anticorrosive performance, the coatings also showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis. This makes the novel nanocomposites suitable for industries requiring both corrosion resistance and antimicrobial functionality – including marine applications, infrastructure, and medical technology.

Source: Jahan, A. et al., Synthesis and characterization of superhydrophobic ceria doped cardanol polyurea nanocomposite coatings with robust anti-corrosive and antibacterial properties. Prog. Org. Coat. 203, 109167 (2025).

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