Superhydrophobic polymer films via aerosol assisted deposition — Taking a leaf out of nature's book

Aerosol assisted deposition of three sets of polymer films based on commercially available resins was achieved on various substrates. The films were characterised using a range of methods, including water contact and slip angle to determine water repellent properties. The aerosol assisted deposition inside the chemical vapour deposition reactor was unique in generating a highly rough superhydrophobic surface with water contact angles up to 170°. During the deposition process, two of the polymers were cured resulting in the development of high surface morphology. It was observed that the polymer that did not cure did not develop such a rough surface resulting in a lower water contact angle (∼ 99°). The superhydrophobic films had a Cassie-Baxter type wetting with water failing to penetrate the surface porosity, water spraying on the surface would bounce off. These films had exceptionally low slide angles of ca 1-2° from the horizontal.