Wetting behavior of a SiO2–polystyrene nanocomposite surface

A SiO2–polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite surface was prepared with a simple method. The wetting behavior of the as-prepared surface was investigated. It was found that the as-prepared surface could be varied from superhydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity just by controlling the drying temperature and the content of SiO2 nanoparticles in the system. In addition, a transition from the Wenzel regime to the Cassie regime was observed.

Superhydrophobic surface was prepared when the ratio between polystyrene and silica is 0.1/0.2, and the drying temperature is 180 °C.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide