Preparation and Performance of Transparent SiO2/PAA Antifogging Composite Coatings

NIE Chuanqi; CHENG Long; DONG Fuyao; WANG Xiaoqi; WANG Kang; ZHANG Lin; LIU Kesong; YU Cunming

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.18.014

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Surface Technology ›› 2026, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (18) : 179-190. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.18.014

Functional Surfaces and Technology

Preparation and Performance of Transparent SiO₂/PAA Antifogging Composite Coatings

NIE Chuanqi^1a,b, CHENG Long^1b, DONG Fuyao^1b,*, WANG Xiaoqi², WANG Kang², ZHANG Lin², LIU Kesong^1b,3,*, YU Cunming^1b,*

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Abstract

To develop transparent antifogging coatings that combine durability with rapid self-healing, a SiO₂/PAA transparent antifogging composite coating is fabricated on glass substrates via doctor-blade coating by tuning the concentration ratio of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and nanosilica (SiO₂). Transparent antifogging surfaces are essential in fog-prone environments because condensed microdroplets and frost layers strongly scatter light, leading to optical haze and reduced visibility. Although hydrophilic coatings can mitigate fogging by promoting a continuous water film, many reported hydrophilic layers still suffer from limited mechanical robustness and performance decay after scratching or abrasion. Achieving an integrated balance among optical clarity, antifogging efficiency, durability, and damage tolerance therefore remains a key challenge for practical applications. In this work, an organic-inorganic composite strategy was adopted to address these limitations. PAA was used as the primary hydrophilic component because its abundant carboxyl groups interacted strongly with water molecules, enabling rapid adsorption and spreading. SiO₂ nanoparticles were incorporated to supply additional hydrophilic silanol groups and to provide an inorganic reinforcement framework that improved mechanical stability and helped maintain coating integrity under external stresses. Prior to deposition, glass substrates were surface-activated (e.g., by plasma treatment) to increase hydroxyl density and surface energy, thereby strengthening interfacial interactions and improving adhesion. Coating slurries were prepared by mixing aqueous PAA and SiO₂ dispersions at designed concentrations to form a formulation matrix. Uniform transparent films were then produced by doctor-blade coating followed by thermal curing to obtain continuous composite layers. The coating thickness, microstructure, and elemental composition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SEM confirmed continuous and homogeneous coverage, and cross-sectional images indicated a thickness on the order of hundreds of nanometers (≈800 nm for a representative optimized sample). EDS mapping showed uniformly distributed C, O, and Si signals, verifying successful incorporation and dispersion of both organic and inorganic components. Optical transmittance was measured by UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, and surface wettability as well as wetting dynamics were evaluated by contact-angle measurements. The composite coatings delivered strong antifogging performance while maintaining high transparency. Among the tested formulations, the optimized D₁ coating exhibited a visible-light transmittance of up to 91.7%. Under hot-steam antifogging tests (e.g., exposure above an 80 ℃ water source) and low-temperature antifogging tests (e.g., freezing at subzero temperature followed by return to ambient conditions), coated glass remained clear with minimal fog formation, whereas uncoated glass showed pronounced droplet condensation and markedly reduced legibility. The time-dependent decrease in apparent contact angle supported the antifogging mechanism, indicating rapid water uptake and spreading that favored continuous water-film formation instead of discrete droplets. Mass-change measurements during vapor exposure further suggested appreciable water absorption capacity, which could buffer transient condensation and help sustain antifogging performance. Durability tests demonstrated enhanced resistance to mechanical damage and functional degradation. The D₁ coating retained a stable antifogging behavior after 60 tape-peeling cycles and 40 sandpaper-abrasion cycles, indicating robust adhesion and improved wear tolerance. Antifogging performance showed no obvious decline after 120 min of water immersion and remained effective after prolonged ambient storage. Importantly, rapid self-healing was achieved: a surface scratch approximately 60 μm wide could be completely healed within 30 s under 80 ℃ hot-steam conditions. This fast recovery is attributed to reversible hydrogen bonding within the PAA-rich network and water-assisted chain mobility; steam exposure plasticizes the polymer phase, promotes chain diffusion and re-association across the damaged interface, and restores surface continuity. Overall, the SiO₂/PAA composite system offers a practical balance among transparency, antifogging efficiency, durability, and rapid self-healing, with a simple and scalable fabrication route for fog-sensitive applications.

Key words

anti-fog / SiO₂/PAA composite coating / transparency / durability / self-healing / blade coating

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NIE Chuanqi, CHENG Long, DONG Fuyao, WANG Xiaoqi, WANG Kang, ZHANG Lin, LIU Kesong, YU Cunming. Preparation and Performance of Transparent SiO₂/PAA Antifogging Composite Coatings[J]. Surface Technology. 2026, 55(18): 179-190

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