Preparation and Performance of H-PDMS/PMHS/OTS Hybrid Nanosilica Hydrophobic and Self-Cleaning Coatings on Phosphogypsum Surface

Hemihydrate phosphogypsum, an industrial solid waste product of phosphoric acid production, is abundant and inexpensive. If the problem of poor water resistance is solved, this material could be substituted for cement and other traditional energy-consuming cementitious materials in the construction industry. This approach would confer important economic and environmental benefits while promoting the resource utilization of phosphogypsum (PG). In this study, hydrophobic and self-cleaning coatings of H-PDMS/PMHS/OTS hybrid nanosilica were prepared on a post-hydroxylated PG surface using sol–gel and impregnation methods. The water contact angle, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Three-dimensional surface morphology and roughness analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface abrasion tests, and tape adhesion tests were used to evaluate the hydrophobicity of the coatings. The results demonstrated that the in situ reaction produced a hydrophobic siloxane/nanosilica hybrid network that bonded to the PG surface via hydrogen bonding, making the otherwise completely hydrophilic PG hydrophobic (PGH-3, contact angle (CA) = 144.1°). The PGH-3 sample exhibited excellent chemical stability, maintaining a contact angle greater than 135° under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions. The contact angle remained at 123.7° after 50 tape-bonding tests. After 100 wear cycles, the contact angle remained at 121.9°. This study presents an environmentally friendly method and a straightforward application procedure to impart hydrophobicity to solid waste PG. Its potential is thus demonstrated in the field of PG-based construction materials and the comprehensive utilization of solid waste.