Superhydrophobic silicone rubber surface prepared by direct replication

The superhydrophobic surface of silicone rubber was prepared by means of a simple direct replication and compression moulding process. It was worth noting that the rough structure endowed the surface of the silicone rubber with excellent superhydrophobic, low adhesion and self-cleaning properties. The contact angle with water was 158.5 +/- 0.5 degrees, and the rolling angle was 8.9 +/- 0.1 degrees. Even if immersed in water, the surface will not become wetted by the water. In addition, it has excellent properties of hydrophobic hydrochloric acid solution, sodium hydroxide solution and sodium chloride solution. Through a high-speed camera, it was found that water droplets would bounce up after falling on the superhydrophobic surface of the silicone rubber. When the liquid drops fall perpendicular to the superhydrophobic surface of silicone rubber, the time of contact between the liquid drops and the superhydrophobic surface is not inversely proportional to the height of the drop falling.

Automated summary

The superhydrophobic surface of silicone rubber was prepared through a simple process, giving it excellent superhydrophobic, low adhesion, and self-cleaning properties. The surface showed high contact angle and low rolling angle with water, and even when immersed in water, it remained unwetted. Additionally, it exhibited excellent properties with various hydrophobic solutions.