Colorful superhydrophobic pigments with superior anti-fouling performance and environmental durability

Abstract Considering that valuable artworks always suffer from intolerance of harsh conditions and water impact caused by the intrinsic hydrophilicity of commercial pigments, pigments possessing anti-fouling performance, environmental durability and chemical stability have considerable significance for minimizing the deteriorations of painted artworks and furthermore promoting cultural communications between different regions. Herein, we have synthesized a series of colorful pigments which exhibit excellent durability in high temperature and humidity environment, long-term UV-light irradiation, underwater immersion and corrosion of chemical solutions. The superhydrophobicity of as-prepared pigments endues painted artworks with superior anti-fouling performance towards multiple liquids including water, orange juice, coffee, tea, milk and cola. Both of the colors and hierarchical structures of synthesized pigments are in-situ formed during hydrothermal process without any addition of organic dyes. In virtue of their substrate-independency, these superhydrophobic pigments are user-friendly and could be applied on both 3D and 2D substrates just like the manner of commercial pigments.