Nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces

Abstract

A study on superhydrophobic silica surfaces based on roughness created by assembling different nanostructured materials was reported. Four different surface structures were created on a silica base material, which was subsequently covered with a self-assembled monolayer of tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2- tetrahydrooctyldimethylchlorosilane (TFCS). The surfaces consisting of a nanofiber mesh demonstrated the highest static contact angle, when covered with TFCS monolayers. However, the surfaces consisting of nanorod arrays were found to be possessing the best dynamic hydrophobicity due to their continuous surface structure.