Transparent superhydrophobic films based on silica nanoparticles

We demonstrate a layer-by-layer processing scheme that can be utilized to create transparent superhydrophobic films from SiO2 nanoparticles of various sizes. By controlling the placement and level of aggregation of differently sized nanoparticles within the resultant multilayer thin film, it is possible to optimize the level of surface roughness to achieve superhydrophobic behavior with limited light scattering. Transparent superhydrophobic films were created by the sequential adsorption of silica nanoparticles and poly(allylamine hydrochloride). The final assembly was rendered superhydrophobic with silane treatment. Optical transmission levels above 90% throughout most of the visible region of the spectrum were realized in optimized coatings. Advancing water droplet contact angles as high as 160 degrees with low contact angle hysteresis (<10 degrees) were obtained for the optimized multilayer thin films. Because of the low refractive index of the resultant porous multilayer films, they also exhibited antireflection properties.