Superhydrophobic transparent films from silica powder: Comparison of fabrication methods

Type
Article

Authors
Liu, Li-Der
Lin, Chao-Sung
Tikekar, Mukul
Chen, Ping-Hei

KAUST Grant Number
KUK-C1-014-12

Date
2011-07

Abstract
The lotus leaf is known for its self-clean, superhydrophobic surface, which displays a hierarchical structure covered with a thin wax-like material. In this study, three fabrication techniques, using silicon dioxide particles to create surface roughness followed by a surface modification with a film of polydimethylsiloxane, were applied on a transparent glass substrate. The fabrication techniques differed mainly on the deposition of silicon dioxide particles, which included organic, inorganic, and physical methods. Each technique was used to coat three samples of varying particle load. The surface of each sample was evaluated with contact angle goniometer and optical spectrometer. Results confirmed the inverse relationships between contact angle and optical transmissivity independent of fabrication techniques. Microstructural morphologies also suggested the advantage of physical deposition over chemical methods. In summary, the direct sintering method proved outstanding for its contact angle vs transmissivity efficiency, and capable of generating a contact angle as high as 174°. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Citation
Liu L-D, Lin C-S, Tikekar M, Chen P-H (2011) Superhydrophobic transparent films from silica powder: Comparison of fabrication methods. Thin Solid Films 519: 6224–6229. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2011.03.129.

Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Global Research Partnership Award, B-04 sub plan, Advancing the Development of Solar Building Technology for the Future: KUK-C1-014-12. Further thanks to Geosciences Department, National Taiwan University for extensive uses on the FEI Quanta 200 FEG SEM; Chemical Engineering Department, National Taiwan University for extensive uses on FTA125 contact angle goniometer; and Nanomaterial and Devices Lab, and Material Science and Engineering Department, National Taiwan University for extensive uses on Ocean Optics USB2000 Fibre Optic Spectrometer.

Publisher
Elsevier BV

Journal
Thin Solid Films

DOI
10.1016/j.tsf.2011.03.129

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