# US 10,870,775 B2 · Optically transparent superhydrophobic thin film

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- Number: US 10,870,775 B2
- Document ID: US10870775B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/991,873
- Filed: 2018-05-29
- Published: 2019-08-29
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-02-27
- Assignees: Waymo LLC
- Applicants: Waymo LLC
- Inventors: John T. Simpson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870775B2

## CPC

- C03C 17/25: by deposition from the liquid phase
- C09D 127/12: containing fluorine atoms
- B05D 1/005: {Spin coating}
- B05D 3/142: {Pretreatment}
- B05D 5/083: {involving the use of fluoropolymers}
- B05D 7/24: for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
- B05D 7/50: {Multilayers}
- C03C 17/007: {containing a dispersed phase, e.g. particles, fibres or flakes, in a continuous phase}
- C03C 17/3405: {with at least two coatings of organic materials (C03C17/36, C03C17/42 take precedence)}
- C08K 9/06: with silicon-containing compounds
- C08L 27/12: containing fluorine atoms
- C09D 5/1681: {Antifouling coatings characterised by surface structure, e.g. for roughness effect giving superhydrophobic coatings or Lotus effect}
- C09D 5/1693: {as part of a multilayer system}
- C09D 7/20: Diluents or solvents
- C09D 7/62: modified by treatment with other compounds
- C09D 127/18: Homopolymers or copolymers of tetrafluoroethene
- B05D 2201/00: Polymeric substrate or laminate
- B05D 2203/35: Glass
- B05D 2350/30: Change of the surface
- B05D 2350/60: Adding a layer before coating
- B05D 2401/10: Organic solvent (B05D2401/21 takes precedence)
- B05D 2506/10: Fluorinated polymers
- B05D 2601/22: Silica
- C03C 2217/42: consisting of particles only
- C03C 2217/445: Organic continuous phases
- C03C 2217/478: Silica
- C03C 2217/76: Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings
- C08K 3/36: Silica
- C08K 7/22: Expanded, porous or hollow particles
- C08K 9/04: Ingredients treated with organic substances {(treated with macromolecular compounds C08K9/08)}
- C08K 9/08: Ingredients agglomerated by treatment with a binding agent
- C08K 2201/005: Additives being defined by their particle size in general
- C08K 2201/011: Nanostructured additives
- C08L 2312/08: by silane
- C03C: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)

## Abstract

A composition that is easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, the composition includes a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is a structure including a substrate coated with the composition, as well as a method for making the composition and a method of coating a substrate with the composition.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composition comprising:
a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent;
a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer;
hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles; and
hydrophobic aerogel nanoparticles, wherein the average size of the aerogel nanoparticles is within the range of 10 nm to 200 nm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the binder is present in about 0.3 to about 1.5 weight percent of the composition.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the binder is present in about 0.8 to about 1.2 weight percent of the composition.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles are present in about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent of the composition.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles are present in about 0.08 to about 0.12 weight percent of the composition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the binder is amorphous, optically clear and soluble in the hydrophobic fluorinated solvent.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles are chemically treated with a fluorinated material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles are chemically treated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic aerogel nanoparticles are present in about 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent of the composition.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A structure, comprising:
a substrate; and
a superhydrophobic coating on the substrate, wherein the superhydrophobic coating comprises the composition of claim 1.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The structure of claim 10, wherein the superhydrophobic coating has a water contact angle of about 130 degrees or greater.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The structure of claim 10, wherein the superhydrophobic coating has both advancing and receding water contact angles of about 130 degrees or greater.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The structure of claim 10, wherein the superhydrophobic coating has a light transmission of at least 95% for wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The structure of claim 10, wherein the substrate is optically transparent.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The structure of claim 10, further comprising a silane layer disposed between the superhydrophobic coating and the substrate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the average size of the silica nanoparticles is within the range of 10 nm to 200 nm.