LAUSR

ABSTRACT Styrene–butadiene-styrene triblock copolymers were blended with carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/SiO2 nano-additives to fabricate superhydrophobic coatings for self-cleaning. When the loading of nano-additives is 20 wt-% and the mass ratio of CNTs to SiO2 is 4:1, the nanocomposite coatings show the best self-cleaning property with water contact angle of 152.5° and contact angle hysteresis of 3.2°. In addition, the superhydrophobic coatings exhibited good thermal stability and high mechanical stability. The superhydrophobic coatings might be extended to the design of novel superfloating and drag-reducing aquatic devices. Owing to its flexibility and simplicity, the method is not only a facile and inexpensive way to achieve the lotus effect but could also create coatings with high values in practical application.