Fluorine-free Liquid Repellent Coatings with Fully Self-Healing and Robust Adhesion Abilities

Given the rapid advancements in ocean engineering, wind power generation, and related fields, it is imperative to develop highly integrated coatings characterized by robust mechanical toughness, efficient self-healing capabilities, and self-cleaning functionalities to prolong the service life of the equipment. However, a formidable challenge encountered in self-healing coatings arises from the inadequate interfacial interaction between the polymer and the substrate, which results from the rapid segmental movement of molecular chains. Furthermore, the integration of multiple functionalities (such as liquid repellency, adhesive capability, scratch resistance, etc.) within self-healing coatings poses a constraint on current development efforts. Herein, we developed a method for preparing fluorine-free biobased water-repellent coatings using eco-friendly plant oils and eugenol. The obtained coatings exhibit excellent intrinsic mechanical performance and extraordinary room temperature autonomous healing efficiency. Remarkably, the coatings also provided unprecedented interfacial strength (shear strength: 11.82 MPa, peeling strength: 1841.4 N m–1) and stable adhesion performance even under water. This judicious design strategy offers a versatile and scalable approach to producing multifunctional coatings and devices tailored for desired functionalities in demanding service conditions. The coatings find application in sustainable antifouling, electronic device protection, and biomedical fields.