Changing character. Polymer brushes create surfaces with variable hydrophobicity

Clear coatings were prepared containing nanoparticles. The SiO2 nanoparticles of the coating were partially exposed at surface by atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma process. The particles remained firmly incorporated in the coating matrix. Optimisation of the composition of the clear coat systems, especially the quantity of SiO2 nanoparticles and other coating components, leads to a homogeneous distribution of the particles in the coating and a stable coating on technical surfaces. The clear coat could be functionalised by the subsequent bonding of polymers to the surface. Binary polymer brush layers could be reversibly switched between hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface properties. These polymer brush layers were stable in abrasion tests. Immobilised f-PEG compounds on the coating surfaces also allowed the wetting properties to be switched (hydrophobic/oleophobic and hydrophilic), with potential applications for self-cleaning surfaces.