Comparison of micro-/nano-hierarchical and nano-scale roughness of silica membranes in terms of wetting behavior and transparency

- Superhydrophobic membranes with different surface roughness were prepared.
- Superhydrophobic membranes could be fabricated without micro-scale structures.
- The surface with micro-/nano-hierarchical structures is relatively stable.
- All the films exhibit high transmittance of 90% in visible light.
- Membranes with nano-scale roughness exhibited better visual transparency.