Transparent and super-hydrophobic properties of PTFE films coated on glass substrate using RF-magnetron sputtering and Cat-CVD methods

The high transparent and super-hydrophobic surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film using catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD) system can be achieved with the presence of the rf-sputtered PTFE film as a buffer layer. The rf-sputtered PTFE surface showed a hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle (WCA) of 122.3°, and a good adhesion on the glass substrate. The Cat-CVD PTFE film coated on the rf-sputtered PTFE film showed a super-hydrophobic surface over 150°, which was due to the micro- and nano-structure formed under optimized catalyzer temperature and the lowered surface energy by strong CF2 and CF3.

► PTFE film as a buffer layer using the rf-magnetron sputtering can improve adhesion. ► Cat-CVD PTFE film with buffer layer shows the super-hydrophobic surface of 153° ± 1. ► PTFE film requires three dimensional surface morphology and CF3 and CF2 radicals.