Robust, heat-resistant and multifunctional superhydrophobic coating of carbon microflowers with molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles.

Superhydrophobic materials have triggered large interest due to their widespread applications, such as self-cleaning, corrosion resistance, anti-icing, and oil/water separation. However, suffering from weak mechanical strength, plenty of superhydrophobic materials are limited in practical application. Herein, we prepared hierarchical carbon microflowers (CMF) dispersed with molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanoparticles (MoO3/CMF) via a two-step preparation method. Taking advantage of high-adhesion epoxy resin and the modification with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PDES), the modified MoO3/CMF (PDES-MoO3/CMF) coating on various substrates shows great waterproof ability, excellent chemical stability, good mechanical durability, and self-cleaning property. More significantly, the prepared PDES-MoO3/CMF powder with high thermal stability (250°C) can be used for oil/water separation due to its special flower-like structure and superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity. All of these advantages endow the superhydrophobic powders with huge potential in the practical applications.