Durable polymer-aerogel based superhydrophobic coatings: a composite material

An article comprising:

• a surface, wherein the surface comprises at least one region;
• and
• a polymer-aerogel composite coating disposed over the at least one region, wherein the polymer-aerogel composite coating comprises one or more polymers and an ultra high water content catalyzed polysilicate aerogel, the polysilicate aerogel comprising a three dimensional network of silica particles having surface functional groups derivatized with a silylating agent and a plurality of pores,
• wherein the polymer-aerogel composite coating has a water contact angle of at least 140°.

An article comprising:

• a substrate comprising at least one region;
• and
• a composite coating disposed over the at least one region, wherein the composite coating comprises one or more polymers and a three dimensional network of silica particles having surface functional groups derivatized with a silylating agent, the silylating agent comprising at least one compound chosen from trimethylchlorosilane, trichloromethylsilane, and trichlorooctylsilane, the three dimensional network of silica particles being made by combining ingredients consisting of a solvent, at least one alkoxy silane precursor, water, and an acid, prior to being derivatized with the silylating agent;
• wherein the composite coating has a water contact angle of at least about 140°.