Superhydrophobic and Superhydrophilic Surfaces

摘要

In this research a new generation of materials possessing a wide range of possible consumer applications such as water harvesting, stain resistant self-cleaning and water-repellent breathable surfaces have been fabricated. Based on nature’s example of the stenocara beetle, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic woven woollen textile surfaces have been developed, by first creating a hierarchical surface structure in the micro- and nano-range. This surface structure was achieved through layer-by-layer assembly of functionalised silica nanospheres of different diameters, either synthesised in the laboratory via a modified Stober process or via Klebosol~R commercially available colloidal silica suspensions. The resulting surfaces showed superhydrophilic properties. Subsequnt chemical surface modification was attained through Dynasylan~R, a modified fluoroalkyl siloxane. Static contact angles of 156°, with corresponding contact angle hysteresis and roll-off angles below 15° for a 10 μL droplet have been measured.