Enrichment in hydrophobicity and scratch resistant properties of silica films on glass by grafted microporosity of the network

A simple fabrication method towards a novel morphology followed by hydrophobic and pencil scratch resistant film based on silica nanoparticles was successfully achieved from methyltrimethoxysilane on glass by spin coating technique. The polyvinyl alcohol was employed for grafting the microporous network of the silica nanoparticles. The enrichment in hydrophobicity and pencil scratch resistance properties of the silica nanoparticles was achieved by adapting a polymer route. Since, the silica particles are in the nanometer size the films are excellent in transmission of light in the visible region. The water drop contact angle was high, up to ~169 ± 1°, for 10 μL volume of water and the sliding angle was achieved minimum to 5 ± 1°. Non-wetting property was tested by keeping the film in the humidity chamber for over 60 days. The silica film demonstrated resistance to scratches by a pencil of 4 H grade as per the ASTM D 3363 method. The feasible potential approach towards the fabrication of the superhydrophobic silica film with tailored nanoporous network and scratch resistant assets is indispensable for many practical applications.