Design of underwater superoleophobic TiO2 coatings with additional photo-induced self-cleaning properties by one-step route bio-inspired from fish scales

Self-cleaning properties inspired by the structures and functions of some creatures are of great interest since the late 20th century. In this paper, TiO2 coatings with hierarchical rutile TiO2 flowers on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate are fabricated through a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The flower-like coatings exhibit superhydrophilicity in air and superoleophobicity underwater with a contact angle as high as 157 degrees, presenting good underwater self-cleaning performance. In addition, when contaminated by oleic acid, the as-prepared TiO2 coatings also exhibit excellent photocatalytic capability under ultraviolet irradiation, which demonstrated self-cleaning properties in a different way. This self-cleaning film provides a good strategy for some industrial and ocean applications. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.