Coatings And Multilayer Structures Using The Same For Passive Water Management

A method of creating a multilayer structure comprising:

• providing a substrate layer having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface;
• depositing a coating composition on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate layer, the coating composition comprising a carrier, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycarboxylic acid, the carrier comprising water;
• and
• heating the coating composition to produce a cross-linked coat layer on the first surface of the substrate layer,
• wherein the cross-linked coat layer has an first dry coat weight, and wherein, after the cross-linked coat layer is exposed to water, the cross-linked coat layer has a second dry coat weight greater than 90% of the first dry coat weight;
• wherein the multilayer structure is configured to promote egress of water vapor in a first direction from the cross-linked coat layer to the substrate layer when the relative humidity is greater adjacent the cross-linked coat layer than adjacent the substrate layer;
• and
• wherein the multilayer structure is configured to inhibit ingress of water vapor in a second direction from the substrate layer to the cross-linked coat layer when the relative humidity is greater adjacent the substrate layer than adjacent the cross-linked coat layer, wherein the multilayer structure has a first wet-cup permeance in the first direction and has a second wet-cup permeance in the second direction, the first wet-cup permeance being greater than second wet-cup permeance.