Self-assembled monolayer of functionalized silica microparticles for self-cleaning applications

Development of durable superhydrophobic glass surfaces with excellent self-cleaning property has raised tremendous interest in materials science. In this study, superhydrophobic coatings were prepared on glass substrates by octadecyltrichlorosilane modified silica microparticles using dip-coating technique. The coating shows the superhydrophobicity with water static contact angle of 165.5 degrees +/- 5.7 degrees and sliding angle of 2.0 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees. Surface morphology analysis reveals the presence of non-spherical microstructures on the coated surface. Coating exhibits excellent self-cleaning property. Additionally, coating withstands its superhydrophobicity after undergoing 4 cycles of abrasion and 30 cycles of adhesion tests. Superhydrophobicity remains unaffected after annealing the sample at temperatures ranging from 40 to 160 degrees C. It also maintains its superhydrophobicity when immersed in different pH solutions. Further, impact behavior of water droplet on the coating surface was also studied. This facile method of preparing superhydrophobic glass surface is advantageous for various industrial applications as it can be used to make superhydrophobic glass surface of any size and shape.