Fabrication of superhydrophobic TiO2 surface with cactus-like structure by a facile hydrothermal approach

Herein we report on a simple and reliable hydrothermal method to prepare superhydrophobic TiO2 surface on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates. The surface shows a novel cactus-like cluster structure composed of TiO2 submicron rods with lengths ranging from 1 μm to 3 μm. After modified with stearic acid, the as-prepared surface shows a remarkable superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle as high as 160° and a sliding angle smaller than 5°. Furthermore, the surface also exhibits non-sticking properties.

Graphical abstractSEM image of cactus-like TiO2 nanorod clusters and shape of a water droplet on the surface modified with STA. In this work, a facile hydrothermal route is proposed to fabricate superhydrophobic surface on glass substrate.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A facile hydrothermal method is used to fabricate superhydrophobic glass surface. ► The surface shows fascinating cactus-like structure composed of TiO2 submicron rods. ► The as-prepared surface possesses a static water contact angle as high as 160° and a sliding angle smaller than 5°.