Superhydrophobic surface constructed on electrodeposited sol–gel silica film

A novel and widely applicable method for creating superhydrophobic surface is demonstrated. Firstly, highly porous and hierarchically nano/micro-structured silica films are fabricated onto conducting substrates by electrodeposition. And then, an environmentally compliant organo-grouped alkoxysilane film is self-assembled onto the silica films to form a superhydrophobic surface. The achieved superhydrophobic surface shows satisfactory chemical stability both in acidic and basic conditions.

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► A superhydrophobic surface is fabricated on electrodeposited silica (E-SiO2) films.
► E-SiO2 films exhibit universality in superhydrophobic surface fabrication.
► High roughness of E-SiO2 films benefits the formation of superhydrophobicity.