The Synthesis of a Superhydrophobic and Thermal Stable Silica Coating via Sol-Gel Process

Abstract

A super-hydrophobic surface at a high temperature (400 °C) using the sol-gel method with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) as precursors has been obtained. The effects of the coatings’ ages, deposited times and thicknesses on the hydrophobicity of the silica coatings have been analysed. The morphology, chemical composition, thermal degradation and hydrophobicity of the resulting surfaces have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transfer infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), Thermogravimetry (TGA) and water contact angle (WCA) measurement. The results show that an average water contact angle of 149° after been cured at 400 °C for a coating aged for 5 days, and four deposition cycles using a dipping rate of 1000 mm/min was achieved.