One-step coating of fluoro-containing silica nanoparticles for universal generation of surface superhydrophobicity

Stable superhydrophobic surfaces with water contact angles over 170 degrees and sliding angles below 7 degrees were produced by simply coating a particulate silica sol solution of co-hydrolysed TEOS/fluorinated alkyl silane with NH(3).H(2)O on various substrates, including textile fabrics (e.g. polyester, wool and cotton), electrospun nanofibre mats, filter papers, glass slides, and silicon wafers.