One-Step Preparation Of Transparent Superhydrophobic Coatings Using Atmospheric Arc Discharge

In this letter, we report a fast, simple, and single step approach to the preparation of transparent super-hydrophobic coatings on a copper conductor via atmosphere pressure arc discharges. The preparation procedures, hydrophobic characteristics, anti-pollution capability, and transparency of the super-hydrophobic coating are presented. A dual micro-and nano-scale hierarchical structure is observed on the super-hydrophobic coating with a water contact angle greater than 150 degrees. The coating is, thus, capable of removing a significant amount of contaminants with a small quantity of water droplets. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that hydrophobic methyl groups exist on the surface of the coating. The surface roughness measurement results prove that the super-hydrophobic surface obeys the Cassie-Baxter model and its light scattering is very weak. Results demonstrate the conceptual feasibility of production of optically transparent super-hydrophobic coating by arc spraying of polymers under the atmospheric pressure. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.