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Liquid-repellent and self-healing: New epoxy resin coating with high mechanical stability
Chinese researchers have developed a novel, liquid-like epoxy resin coating with outstanding non-stick, self-healing and recycling properties. This is made possible by the use of dynamic disulphide bonds in combination with hyperbranched epoxy resin and silicone components.
A research team from China has developed a new liquid-like coating based on hyperbranched epoxy resin (HBEP) that repels a wide range of liquids and can repair itself. The formulation combines HBEP with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl disulphide (APD) and mono-disulphide-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (MD-PDMS). Thanks to this combination, the coating exhibits a low slip angle of less than 5° for liquids with different surface tensions.
The developed surface is suitable for various substrates such as glass, PET and metal. In addition to liquids, it also effectively repels dust and adhesives. Its mechanical hardness is around 65.6 MPa. Its self-healing ability is particularly noteworthy: in the event of mechanical damage, cracks can be almost completely sealed by heating to around 40 °C – with an efficiency of around 99%. This is also possible after several healing cycles.
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Self-healing through dynamic disulphide bridges
Self-healing is based on reversible disulphide bonds within the MD-PDMS, which reconfigure at moderate temperatures to form a new, liquid-like surface. The combination of this reversible chemical cross-linking with the natural lubricity of the material offers a promising approach for durable and low-maintenance non-stick coatings.
The researchers see potential applications primarily in outdoor areas, such as public facilities, architectural surfaces or ship components. Thanks to its combination of mechanical resilience, recyclability and non-stick properties, the coating could also set new standards in industrial environments.
Source: Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 200, March 2025, Article 109039
