Transparent and superhydrophobic Ta2O5 nanostructured thin films

Transparent Ta2O5 nanostructured thin films have been fabricated using a multi-step anodization process. Obtained by a combination of the nanostructured surface and the deposition of the hydrophobic CFx coating, the transparent films can be made highly water repellent or superhydrophobic useful for self-cleaning and anti-fogging optical coatings. Contact angle measurements and optical transmittance curves of the nanostructured films are in good agreement with theoretical calculations. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America