Preparation of superhydrophobic surface with a novel sol-gel system

► A series of by-products were prepared by polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) reacting with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550). ► When water and ammonia water were added, the by-product could undergo hydrolysis and condensation with excessive PMHS or KH550 to form sol-gel. ► The mass ratio of KH550/PMHS influences surface property of the film produced by spraying the corresponding sol-gel to microscope glass. ► A superhydrophobic film was fabricated by the sol-gel whose mass ratio of KH550/PMHS is 0.25. ► The mechanism of the formation of the by-product and the sol-gel is discussed.