5. Diversity of silicon chemistry: providing a basis for nano-coatings
The diversity of silicon chemistry allows the design of functionalized coating materials as needed:


Strong stability of silicon-oxygen bonds (Si-O-Si):
Silicon-oxygen bonds are the core of silicon-based coatings and have extremely high chemical stability, allowing the coatings to maintain their functions in extreme environments (such as high temperature, strong acid, strong base).
Functionalization of silicon surface:
Various functional groups (such as amino, hydroxyl, epoxy) can be introduced onto the silicon surface to customize the properties of the coating (such as hydrophobic, antistatic, conductive).
Functionalized silanes (such as 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, APTES) can be used to connect inorganic and organic materials to improve interfacial adhesion.
Construction of nanostructures:
Silicon dioxide nanoparticles or silica gel are prepared by sol-gel method to form porous or dense coatings at the nanoscale for adjusting optical properties (anti-reflection) or surface energy (hydrophobic/hydrophilic).