Sol-Gel-Based Multifunctional Superhydrophobic Coatings and Its Tribological Properties

Methods For Producing Superhydrophobic Coatings.

Superhydrophobic surfaces fabrication strategies can be classified and shown in figure 1.

Figure 1.

Outline of the general synthesis strategy of superhydrophobic coatings.

Roughening Of Hydrophobic Materials

The superhydrophobicitycanbe created by roughening the surface without any surface functionalization. The film can be made transparent by making the size of the particle or texture on the film much smaller or larger than the light wavelength. Dual scale texture with low-energy surfaces can produce superhydrophobic surfaces. Good superhydrophobic properties can be achieved whenever of the dual scale textures are fabricatedby wet deposition methods (dipping, spinning, spray and dropping)on fine or rough polished metal substrates. For instance, Pedraza et al. (PhysChemChemPhys 2013)developed an easy, but versatile method to fabricate superhydrophobic coating by roughening thesubstrates by electropolishing. These films are superhydrophobic with multifunctional properties like higher optical transparency, reversible superoleophobicity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and show prolonged durability(S. A. Mahadik et al., 2012, 2013).