Investigation of Structural, Optical and Wettability Properties of Ammonium Persulfate-Added Sol-Gel Hybrid Antifog Coatings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71350/jmis.8Keywords:
Sol-gel, Superhydrophilic, Antifog, Ammonium Persulfate, Surface ModificationAbstract
In this study, transparent and highly hydrophilic hybrid antifog coatings with ammonium persulfate (APS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 300) additives were developed for flat glass surfaces using the sol-gel spray technique. APS was added to the TEOS/GLYMO/APTES base matrix at different ratios (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% w/v) while keeping the water content constant, and the prepared sols were sprayed onto soda-lime flat glass and cured at 90°C. FTIR analyses confirmed the successful establishment of the siloxane (Si-O-Si) network structure and sharpening of sulfate peaks at 615 cm⁻¹ and 1115 cm⁻¹. The water contact angle of undoped glass (64°) decreased to 16° with the 2.0% APS solution due to high surface energy from ionic sulfate centers. In optical tests, the uncoated sol-gel film preserved the original transparency (91.0%) and brightness (155 GU), whereas the 2.0% APS solution reduced transmittance to 68.7% and brightness to 70 GU due to early gelling and phase separation causing surface haze. In 60°C hot fog tests, the uncoated glass and 0% APS solution reached saturation within 30 minutes with intense droplet condensation, while the 2.0% APS sample prevented droplet accumulation for 2 hours. In conclusion, although the 2.0% APS solution offered the highest anti-fog capacity, it caused significant optical losses. The formulation containing 1.0% w/v APS was optimized as the ideal "golden ratio" between optical clarity and maximum fog resistance, maintaining light transmittance at 80.5% and brightness at 133 GU while successfully suppressing large water droplets during the 2-hour test.
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