Fabrication of superhydrophobic polyurethane/MoS2 nanocomposite coatings with wear-resistance

A simple approach was proposed to fabricate a wear-resistant superhydrophobic coating by spraying the suspensions of polyurethane (PU)/molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) on various substrates. The PU/55.6%MoS2 coating with papillae-like rough structure showed superhydrophobic behavior with the water contact angle of 157°. After chemical modification, the coating displayed both superhydrophobicity and superoleophobicity. Meanwhile, the abrasion resistance of the coating was investigated by mechanical abrasion tests. The PU/MoS2 coating could still preserve the superhydrophobic properties after sliding against stainless steel. Moreover, the friction and wear behaviors of the coatings were evaluated in ball-on-plate configuration using a UMT-3 friction and wear tester. The coatings exhibited stable friction coefficient and excellent wear-resistance (6000 cycles). Therefore, the wear-resistant superhydrophobic PU/MoS2 coating would be a good candidate for liquid-repellent surfaces to meet emerging needs in practical applications.