Formation of Superhydrophobic-Superhydrophilic Pattern on Flowerlike Alumina Thin Film by the Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

We have prepared superhydrophobic surfaces which become superhydrophilic by heat-treatment at 500°C or irradiation of UV-light. When hydrolyzed fluoroalkyltrimethoxysilane (FAS) was coated on Al₂O₃ gel film with a roughness of 20 to 50 nm, the films showed superhydrophobicity and high transparency; the contact angle for water of the film was 165° and the transmittance for the visible light was higher than 92%. When the FAS-coated thin films were heat-treated at temperatures higher than 500°C, the films became superhydrophilic; the contact angle for water on the films was smaller than 5°. Thin films of amorphous TiO₂ or anatase TiO₂ were coated between Al₂O₃ gel and FAS layer, and the contact angle for water was also about 160°. UV irradiation using high-pressure mercury lamp on these films resulted in the contact angle to be smaller than 5°. When UV light was irradiated through a photomask, superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic micropatterns applicable as a stamper for printing or a substrate of micro-optical components were successfully obtained on the films.