Superhydrophobic surface based on the self-growing structure of BaAl2Si2O8 glass-ceramics

Abstract Superhydrophobic surfaces have great potential for applications in electric power equipment, photovoltaic cell panels, and other fields due to their unique self-cleaning and dry storage characteristics. However, the common process for preparing superhydrophobic surfaces faces the following problems: complex preparation process, high cost, and easily damaged hydrophobic surface structure. In this study, a self-growing monoclinic phase of BaAl2Si2O8 glass-ceramics with a microscale structure is used as a matrix, which was etched with hydrofluoric acid and then treated with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane to obtain a kind of superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle more than 150°. The effect of the etching time on the hydrophobicity and the micromorphology of the glass-ceramic surface is analyzed. The results show that the contact angle first increases, then stabilizes, and finally decreases with increasing etching time. This etched structure has a large number of bulges and voids, and parts of the surface hydrophobic groups stay away from direct contact with other objects. Thus, it protects the internal hydrophobic group and improves the mechanical stability of the superhydrophobic surface. This study offers a simple and inexpensive idea for the mass production of ceramic-based superhydrophobic materials.