Surface modification on a glass surface with a combination technique of sol-gel and air brushing processes

► This study fabricated the large area and optically transparent superhydrophobic silica-based films on glass surface. ► Desired surface roughness was obtained by adjusting nano silica particles concentration of the precursors prepared by the sol-gel process. Silica suspension was coated onto the glass substrate by the air brushing methods. ► This method can deposit a uniform, transparent coating on the glass substrate efficiently.