Superhydrophobic coatings obtained by self-assembled molecules for industrial applications

Superhydrophobic surfaces obtained with ultra thin organic layer have been often characterized by short efficient time period. The first step of this project, which is directed towards the increasing the durability of superhydrophobic surfaces, is to understand how roughness and surface tension influence the wettability. This work examines the modification of metallic surface roughness by sandblasting and/or sol-gel techniques. Molecules with phosphonic and carboxylic anchoring groups are synthesized and applied by a self-assembled mechanism. The application cycle is investigated in order to understand more relevant parameters influencing the adhesion between self-assembled molecules and metallic substrate, like etching technique, rinsing and post thermal treatment. Furthermore wetting properties and morphology of materials are analyzed to determine which production set-up gives the best performances.