Synthesis of nano-textured polystyrene/ZnO coatings with excellent transparency and superhydrophobicity

Abstract Transparent superhydrophobic polystyrene/ZnO nanocoating, possessing an average roughness of 28 nm and high contact angle (>150°) has been synthesized through a modified facile sol–gel route. The anticipated hierarchical roughness of the coating was obtained using dual functionalized ZnO nanoparticles. Chlorotrimethylsilane and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxy silane were espoused as nanoparticle surface functionalizing agents to generate superhydrophobic coating. The effect of experimental parameters on transparency and superhydrophobicity of developed coatings was examined to obtain optimum conditions. Such developed coatings can prove to have substantial industrial applications.