Development of aγ‑Ray Protection Materialwith Excellent Self-Cleaning Ability

Epoxy coatings with both self-cleaning and radiation protection functions have important application prospects in the nuclear industry. However, combining these two functions poses a significant challenge. To address this challenge, epoxy resin (EP) was modified with hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the matrix. Additionally, 1<i>H</i>,1<i>H</i>,2<i>H</i>,2<i>H</i>-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane hydrophobically modified micrometer-sized bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) was used as a functional filler. By adjusting the roughness with a small amount of hydrophobic silica (SiO₂), a superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating with γ radiation shielding capabilities was successfully developed. The resulting coating demonstrated exceptional self-cleaning properties, mechanical stability, and remarkable γ-ray shielding in tests.