Wettability control and water droplet dynamics on SiC-SiO2 core-shell nanowires

Langmuir. 2010 Jul 20;26(14):12273-7. doi: 10.1021/la101234p.

Abstract

We present a simple method for fabricating superhydrophobic SiC-SiO(2) core-shell nanowire surfaces via the facile dip-coating of alkyltrichlorosilanes. Water droplets displayed a variety of shapes with varying surface energies on the nanowire surfaces, which could be modified through chemisorption of alkyltrichlorosilanes with variable carbon chain length. The effects of UV irradiation on the superhydrophobic nanowire arrays were also investigated. UV light efficiently decomposed the chemisorbed molecules, and the superhydrophobic surface gradually converted into a hydrophilic surface with increasing UV exposure. The water droplet impact behavior on the modified surfaces was studied to test the stability of the superhydrophobicity under dynamic conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Carbon Compounds, Inorganic / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Silicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Wettability*

Substances

  • Carbon Compounds, Inorganic
  • Silicon Compounds
  • Water
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • silicon carbide