Polymer-Functionalized Aluminum Nanoflowers with Hierarchical Structures for Superhydrophobic Coatings

Various wet-chemical synthesis methods have been explored to produce aluminum nanostructures, but the development of nanoflower (NF) morphologies with unique three-dimensional architectures remains unexplored. Herein, we present a solvothermal synthesis strategy for aluminum nanoflowers (Al NFs) using diglyme (G2) as both a reactant and a high-temperature solvent. The resulting Al NFs with a large surface area of 55.19 m2/g consist of small aluminum crystals and a complex of aluminum and G2, which enhance the proportion of octahedral AlO6 units in the structure. To further refine the synthesis, cumyl dithiobenzoate-terminated polystyrene was introduced as a coligand, enabling precise size control and imparting enhanced water resistance with excellent superhydrophobic properties. Al NFs hold great promise for applications in advanced functional materials, particularly as building blocks for high-performance superhydrophobic coatings, owing to their large surface area, tunable morphology, and ease of polymer functionalization.