Reversible ultraviolet light-manipulated superhydrophobic-to-superhydrophilic transition on a tubular SiC nanostructure film

We demonstrate the ultraviolet (UV) light-induced, reversible wettability behavior for tubular SiC nanostructure film. The as-synthesized tubular SiC nanostructure film shows the superhydrophilic nature with the water contact angle 152.4 degrees and low sliding angle. Moreover, the surface transition between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity can be easily achieved by the alternation of UV irradiation and closed thermal heating. A possible mechanism is also proposed to explain the reversible wettability behavior. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3510472]