Work

Development of Crack-Suppressed Superhydrophilic PAA/Silica Coatings Through Optimized Particle Loading and Drying Conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A comprehensive study was conducted to develop structurally robust, crack-suppressed superhydrophilic nanocomposite coatings comprising poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and silica nanoparticles. We systematically investigated the critical trade-off between particle loading, which drives surface wettability and stress-induced crack formation driven by capillary forces and shrinkage mismatch. Our findings identify a distinct structural failure threshold between 25 and 30 vol.% silica under conventional drying. By strategically optimizing drying kinetics (an initial flash-dry at 120 °C for 1 h followed by a 24 h ambient cure), we successfully fabricated transparent, crack-suppressed superhydrophilic coatings at elevated silica loadings up to 47 vol.%, establishing a practical, scalable framework for advanced functional surface engineering. The crack-suppressed mechanism was hypothesized to be related to internal stress.

Source: Surfaces

DOI: 10.3390/surfaces9020046

Authors: Sevil Turkoglu, Florence Acha, Hanna Dodiuk, Shmuel Kenig, Joey Mead, Jinde Zhang

Institutions: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Shenkar College of Engineering and Design

Language: English

Topic: Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930

Funder: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center