title: UV and thermally stable superhydrophobic coatings from sol-gel processing.
abstract: A method for the preparation of inorganic superhydrophobic silica coatings using sol-gel processing with tetramethoxysilane and isobutyltrimethoxysilane as precursors is described. Incorporation of isobutyltrimethoxysilane into silica layers resulted in the existence of hydrophobic isobutyl surface groups, thereby generating surface hydrophobicity. When combined with the surface roughness that resulted from sol-gel processing, a superhydrophobic surface was achieved. This surface showed improved UV and thermal stability compared to superhydrophobic surfaces generated from polybutadiene by plasma etching. Under prolonged UV tests (ASTM D 4329), these surfaces gradually lost superhydrophobic character. However, when the as-prepared superhydrophobic surface was treated at 500 degrees C to remove the organic moieties and covered with a fluoroalkyl layer by a perfluorooctylsilane treatment, the surface regained superhydrophobicity. The UV and thermal stability of these surfaces was maintained upon exposure to temperatures up to 400 degrees C and UV testing times of 5500 h. Contact angles remained >160 degrees with contact angle hysteresis approximately 2 degrees.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0100, USA.
authors.forename: Yonghao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiu
authors.forename: Dennis W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012821:Silanes / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014297:Trimethylsilyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; D012821:Silanes; D014297:Trimethylsilyl Compounds; C061205:tetramethoxysilane; D012822:Silicon Dioxide