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Superhydrophobic coatings from urushiol via one-step deposition process
A new bio-based coating derived from urushiol and hexamethylenediamine enables highly hydrophobic surface modification without the need for silane compounds, offering a simple and versatile method for functional surface design.
Researchers from China have developed a bio-based, coral-like deposited coating using urushiol—a renewable plant-derived phenol—as the primary component. The innovative coating structure was obtained via one-step precipitation copolymerisation with 1,6-hexamethylenediamine (HDA) in ethanol. Published in Progress in Organic Coatings (Volume 200, March 2025), the study presents a simple yet powerful method for creating highly hydrophobic surfaces on various substrates.
The resulting urushiol-HDA coating features a hierarchical micro/nano morphology that mimics coral surfaces, enabling superhydrophobicity without the need for traditional low-surface-energy additives such as silanes. By optimising the pH, reactant ratios, and deposition conditions, the researchers were able to fine-tune the surface roughness and wettability of the coating across different materials.
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Tunable surface properties and secondary modification
Beyond its water-repellent performance, the deposited layer allows for secondary surface modifications, enabling further chemical functionalisation. This expands its potential application in fields such as protective coatings, self-cleaning materials, and anti-fouling surfaces.
The simplicity of the preparation process, combined with its renewable raw materials and the absence of fluorinated or silane-based additives, highlights the method’s potential as a sustainable alternative for designing multifunctional, super-wetting surfaces.
Source: Zeng, H. et al. Coral-like urushiol-based deposited coating prepared by precipitation copolymerisation, Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 200, March 2025, 108995.
