Superhydrophobic surfaces with photocatalytic self-cleaning properties by nanocomposite coating of TiO(2) and polytetrafluoroethylene

Abstract

Superhydrophobic surfaces with photocatalytic self-cleaning properties are designed through coating a nanocomposite TiO(2) photocatalyst and hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene onto a structured substrate by applying a co-deposition technique. This coating realizes adequate photocatalytic activity for self-cleaning and inducing unique surface wettability changes. The nanocomposite can contain multiple functions, enabling energy-saving and maintenance-free characteristics.