Preparation and Characterization of Novel Fluorine‐Free Superhydrophobic Antibacterial Composite Particles

ABSTRACT To overcome the limitations of insufficient antibacterial activity and high fluorine content commonly found in conventional superhydrophobic materials, novel fluorine‐free superhydrophobic antibacterial composite particles were designed and synthesized via a facile method using polydopamine (PDA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as the core components. By virtue of the mucin‐mimetic surface characteristics of PDA, silver nanoparticles can be firmly anchored onto its surface, thereby constructing a hierarchical micro/nanostructure. Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) was subsequently used for surface modification, during which long‐chain alkyl groups were grafted onto the composite surface to lower its surface energy. The surface morphology, internal structure, elemental composition, and wettability of the as‐prepared composite particles were systematically characterized. In addition, the influences of silver nanoparticle loading and modifier dosage on the water contact angle (WCA) of the composites were systematically investigated. The HDTMS‐modified, fluorine‐free superhydrophobic antibacterial composite particles exhibit exceptional hydrophobicity, with a maximum WCA of 161.6° and a sliding angle (SA) of only 1.9°, as well as an outstanding bacteriostatic efficiency of 99.99%. Notably, these composite particles can be stably immobilized onto diverse substrates such as glass slides, paper, and copper meshes, endowing them with broad application potential in self‐cleaning, oil–water separation, and corrosion protection.