Controllable preparation of transparent superhydrophobic TiO2 nanoarrays

Abstract

TiO2 nanoarrays on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates were fabricated by a facile and low cost hydrothermal method. Transparent superhydrophobic films were obtained after being modified with triethoxyoctylsilane (KH-832) via dip coating. The surface morphologies, compositions and wettability were investigated by SEM, XPS and contact angle measurement respectively. The double adjustment of transmission and superhydrophobic coating on FTO coated glass substrates is achieved by adjusting the saturated sodium chloride solution in the growth solution for TiO2 nanorods. It was found that the transparency and superhydrophobic coating can be obtained at the same time when adding 4 mL saturated sodium chloride solution in the growth solution. The transmittance of the coated FTO substrate reached to 85%, with the static contact angle as high as 167·3°, and the water droplet can roll off easily and quickly. It is vital for their promising applications in industry, such as windshield glass and microfluidic devices.