Transformation of a simple plastic into a superhydrophobic surface.
Superhydrophobic surfaces are generally made by controlling the surface chemistry and surface roughness of various expensive materials, which are then applied by means of complex time-consuming processes. We describe a simple and inexpensive method for forming a superhydrophobic coating using polypropylene (a simple polymer) and a suitable selection of solvents and temperature to control the surface roughness. The resulting gel-like porous coating has a water contact angle of 160 degrees. The method can be applied to a variety of surfaces as long as the solvent mixture does not dissolve the underlying material.
Erbil
H Yildirim
HY
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Kocaeli University, 41300 Izmit, Kocaeli, Turkey. yerbil@kou.edu.tr
Demirel
A Levent
AL
Avci
Yonca
Y
Mert
Olcay
O