title: Redox-switchable superhydrophobic silver composite.
abstract: Unique packaging of Ag(2)O on the surface of polycrystalline AgCl allows fabrication of a new useful, superhydrophobic composite material. This pure inorganic material with surface porosity of submicrometer aperture size fabricates air pockets, which make the composite material superhydrophobic. The new material behaves like lotus leaves, butterfly wings, or water strider's leg in relation to superhydrophobicity. Visible light induces photoreduction of solid Ag(2)O surface layer and generates Ag(0), making the composite surface superhydrophilic. Reoxidation of Ag(0) on the composite surface gives back the hydrophobicity that represents the redox-switchable wetting property of the material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India.
authors.forename: Arun Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Mrinmoyee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Mukul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pradhan
authors.forename: Sougata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Negishi
authors.forename: Tarasankar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pal