Ultra-high performance flexible and controllable superhydrophobic films based on microsphere/micro-pyramid hierarchical arrays

Abstract

Ultra-high performance flexible superhydrophobic surfaces have attracted great research interests, which are widely used in anti-fog, anti-icing, anti-fouling, self-cleaning, and other fields. However, ultra-high hydrophobic properties and complex manufacturing processes are still huge challenges to be solved. In this paper, a facile construction strategy of ultra-high performance flexible and controllable superhydrophobic films was proposed, combining the template transfer and electrospinning methods. The effects of electrospinning parameters on the microstructure and surface wettability were systematically studied, and the controllable preparation of films with different wettability was realized. Under the stable Cassie-Baxter state, the contact angle of prepared superhydrophobic films could reach 172° and the sliding angle could reach 3°. In addition, the stretchability, abrasion resistance, and chemical durability tests were also conducted in simulated harsh real-world environments. The results indicated that the films still exhibited superior performances. For the practical demonstration, the films are expected to be used as protective films for windshields, outdoor electronic screens, and solar cells due to the inherent optical properties and excellent fouling resistance performance.