Preparation and Analysis of Transparent Superhydrophobic Glass Slides

Lotus leaves contain a unique property of high water resistance and self-cleaning ability. These properties are commonly commercially utilized through superhydrophobic surfaces. The industrial production of such superhydrophobic surfaces can produce materials for everyday use—materials that are resistant to water and are self-cleaning. While many methods are known to produce surperhydrophobic surfaces, most such surfaces lack desired light transparency. Here, a technique by Wong and Yu was used for the production transparent superhydrophobic surfaces. Glass microscope slides were coated with octadecyltrichlorosilane and a methyltrichlorosilane to prepare hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces, respectively. The properties of these surfaces as well as an uncoated hydrophilic surface were measured and compared.