Hydrophobic, self-healing coating and coated substrate, and fabrication method

A coated substrate displaying self-healing capability and hydrophobicity comprising:

• a substrate comprising a metal, an alloy, a ceramic, a glass, and/or a semiconductor;
• a vitrimer film on the substrate, the vitrimer film comprising a silicone polymer network crosslinked with dynamic covalent bonds comprising a boronic ester,
• wherein the vitrimer film has a thickness of less than 100 nm,
• wherein the dynamic covalent bonds provide a mechanism for self-healing of the vitrimer film, wherein the self-healing is achieved autonomously at room temperature, and
• wherein the vitrimer film shows no signs of degradation as quantified by the lack of formation of water blisters or increased contact angle hysteresis for at least 17 days while undergoing steam condensation, and/or wherein the vitrimer film exhibits stable dropwise condensation for at least 17 days while undergoing steam condensation.