Synthesis of Superhydrophobic and Thermally Stable Metal Oxide Nanowires

Superhydrophobic materials, particularly those with high thermal stability, are critically important. Traditional polymer-based superhydrophobic materials are not sufficiently stable to work at relatively high temperatures. Herein we have developed a facile approach to synthesize superhydrophobic inorganic ceramics by silane chemical functionalization to metal oxide nanowires to form metal-oxygen-silicon chemical bonds via a silane vapor coating technique. The very high thermally stable superhydrophobic materials have generated and can maintain a superhydrophobic surface at temperatures as high as 390 degrees C, 490 degrees C and 500 degrees C for K2-xMn8O16, ZnO and TiO2 metal oxide nanowires, respectively. Once the temperature point is exceeded, the superhydrophobic surface becomes superhydrophilic and but can be switched back to superhydrophobic by a silane vapor coat, indicating a reversible surface property.

Automated summary

Superhydrophobic inorganic ceramics with high thermal stability have been synthesized through silane chemical functionalization of metal oxide nanowires. The materials can maintain a superhydrophobic surface at temperatures as high as 390°C, 490°C, and 500°C for K2-xMn8O16, ZnO, and TiO2 metal oxide nanowires, respectively. The reversible surface property was demonstrated by switching between superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces with a silane vapor coat.