Development of a Transparent and Ultrahydrophobic Glass Plate

Abstract

A transparent glass plate was roughened at the submicron level, and then a chemically adsorbed monolayer of a fluorocarbon compound was formed along the glass surface. The monolayer was prepared using the chemical coupling reaction accompanying dehydrochlorination between a chlorosilyl group of the heptadeca-fluorodecyltrichlorosilane (CF₃(CF₂)₇(CH₂)₂SiCl₃: HFTS) surface-active agent and a hydroxyl group on the glass surface. The contact angle of the glass surface relative to water was approximately 155 degrees with transmittance kept at 92%. This glass plate may be useful for various products, such as motor vehicles and building window glass.