Lei Jiang*, Yong Zhao, Jin Zhai

A lotus-leaf-like superhydrophobic film of polystyrene, a common plastic, is prepared by a versatile electrohydrodynamics method for the first time. The as-prepared film exhibits porous microspheres and nanofibers composite structures, and the respective functions of them are discussed that porous microspheres contribute to the superhydrophobicity through increasing surface roughness while nanofibers interweave a 3D network as a skeleton to reinforce the strength of the composite film. This simple method also seems to be suitable for the production of superhydrophobic films made of many other materials.

SEM images of porous microspheres/nanofibers composite film and water contact angle of such film.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2004, 43, 4338-4341