Fabrication of superhydrophobic transparent cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)-SiO2 nanocomposite surfaces

A superhydrophobic cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) nanocomposite coating was produced with a very simple and easy method. Self-cleaning superhydrophobic COC surfaces were obtained by only adding surface hydrophobized SiO2 nanoparticles by dip coating method. The influence of concentration of SiO2 and the coating temperatures on the wettability of the surfaces were investigated. The surface wettability of the coatings was examined with the contact angle measurements and the surface roughness and morphology were analyzed by using atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Surfaces with certain amounts of COC and SiO2 showed superhydrophobic character with high water contact angle of 169(0). Also, the obtained superhydrophobic surfaces show superior water repellent, high transparency, and self-cleaning characteristics.