From super-hydrophilic to super-hydrophobic surfaces using plasma polymerization combined with gas aggregation source of nanoparticles

• Vacuum-based deposition of coatings with adjustable wettability is presented.
• Full range of wettability may be covered by this method.
• Fluorine-free super-hydrophobic coatings were produced.

Control of surface wettability is of great importance in a wide range of technological applications. In this study we report on the possibility to cover the full range of surface wetting characters from super-hydrophilic to super-hydrophobic one using plasma polymerization (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) performed with different mixtures of hexamethyldisiloxane/oxygen and in combination with nanoparticle deposition.