Fabrication and characterization of transparent superhydrophobic thin films based on silica nanoparticles

A simple method, which was based on self-assemble of silica nanoparticles and heptadecafluorodecyl trimethoxysilane, was used to fabricate a transparent superhydrophobic thin film with a water contact angle higher than 146 degrees. The film has a uniform thickness of about 200 nm and a certain surface roughness about 20 nm, which makes it both transparent and superhydrophobic.