Recent progress of functional coating materials and technologies for polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (PC) has been recognized as a promising alternative for inorganic glass thanks to high optical transparency, light weight, and excellent toughness. To expand the PC applications, especially in outdoor environments, and to impart new functionalities, surface coating can be an effective approach to overcome the intrinsic drawbacks of PC, such as low hardness and poor weathering performance. Coating techniques for PC are primarily classified into the wet chemical coating of organic–inorganic hybrid networks and the gaseous vacuum deposition of inorganic materials. Parallel to the development of electrical and optical devices and energy-efficient automobiles, PC with improved electrical conductivity, antireflection, and self-cleaning has been in high demand and has been achieved by well-controlled coating technologies of programmed functional materials. This article reviews the physical properties of the coating materials used for PC with emphasis on recent progress of coating technologies.