Changes in hydrophobic properties of glass surfaces by ion implantation

Abstract

Ion implantation was used to modify the hydrophobic properties of glass surfaces. The hydrophobicity of the glass surface was evaluated by contact angle measurements for water droplets as a function of ion implantation conditions. The results showed, irrespective of ion species, that the contact angle was influenced by the energy and dose of primary ions and atmospheric conditions. A maximum contact angle of 80° was obtained after ion implantation with an energy of 50–100 keV and a dose of 1015–1017 ions/cm2, though the contact angle before ion implantation was around 10°–20° for soda-lime glass. Characterization of hydrophobic glass surfaces thus prepared has been carried out by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS analysis revealed the formation of carbon-related bonds such as C–H and C–H2 at the glass surface, which could be explained in terms of the interaction between primary ions and adsorbed species on the glass surface. In conclusion, hydrophobic glass surfaces were obtained by the formation of carbon-related bonds as a result of ion implantation.