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Fluorine-free superhydrophobic coatings for bamboo developed

Researchers have developed an environmentally friendly method to make bamboo superhydrophobic using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) – without any fluorinated compounds. The coating shows high resistance to water, dirt and UV radiation.

Superhydrophobic coatings
Superhydrophobic MTMS coating on bamboo: Water rolls off almost completely. Source: ded - stock.adobe.com

A research team from China and the USA has presented a new method to create durable water-repellent coatings on bamboo without using fluorinated compounds. The one-pot sol-gel process applies methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) under alkaline conditions, forming a micro- and nano-structured surface with very low surface energy.

This approach simplifies the fabrication of superhydrophobic coatings, as it does not require additional micro- or nanoparticles or further low-surface-energy additives. The chemical reaction between MTMS and the bamboo surface creates strong covalent bonds, which significantly enhance the durability of the coating.

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High resistance to environmental stress

The coated bamboo samples achieved a water contact angle of 155.4° and a sliding angle of only 2.3°, indicating extremely high water repellence. Moreover, the NH4OH@MTMS@bamboo composites showed excellent resistance to moisture, dirt and intense UV radiation.

The process is cost-effective, environmentally friendly and suitable for industrial scale-up, offering a promising way to establish bamboo as a sustainable alternative to wood in various applications.

Source: Xu, T. et al., A fluorine-free approach for fabricating superhydrophobic coatings on bamboo using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) under alkaline conditions. Prog. Org. Coat. 203, 109170 (2025).

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