A fast and effective approach for reversible wetting-dewetting transitions on ZnO nanowires

Here, we demonstrate a facile approach for the preparation of ZnO nanowires (NWs) with tunable surface wettability that can be manipulated reversibly in a controlled manner from a superhydrophilic state to a superhydrophobic state. The as-synthesized ZnO NWs obtained by a chemical vapor deposition method are superhydrophilic with a contact angle (CA) value of ~0°. After H₂ gas annealing at 300 °C for 90 minutes, ZnO NWs display superhydrophobic behavior with a roll-off angle less than 5°. However, O₂ gas annealing converts these superhydrophobic ZnO NWs into a superhydrophilic state. For switching from superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic state and vice versa in cyclic manner, H₂ and O₂ gas annealing treatment was used, respectively. A model based on density functional theory indicates that the oxygen-related defects are responsible for CA switching. The water resistant properties of the ZnO NWs coating is found to be durable and can be applied to a variety of substrates including glass, metals, semiconductors, paper and even flexible polymers.