Preparation of transparent ultrahydrophobic silica film by sol–gel process

Transparent ultrahydrophobic films were synthesized by sol–gel process with organic silicones modified into silica sol and cured under UV irradiation. The effects of hydrolysis temperature, hydrolysis time, molar ratio of organic silicone to silica sol, and surface morphology on the hydrophobicity of the films were discussed in detail using FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AFM, optical transmission, and contact angle measurement, respectively. The AFM and SEM images indicated that the surface roughness enhanced the hydrophobicity of the films. The results revealed that methyl-trimethoxysilane (MTMS)-modified silica film prepared at 50°C for 2 h with an MTMS/silica sol molar ratio of 1:10 had a very high contact angle (130°). However, the higher hydrolysis temperature and longer reaction time might have accelerated the self-condensation of silanol and decreased the contact angle of the films.