Transformation of a Simple Plastic into a Superhydrophobic Surface
H. Y
ldrm Erbil,1*
A. Levent Demirel,2*
Yonca Avc,1
Olcay Mert1
Superhydrophobic surfaces are generally made by controlling
the surface chemistry and surface roughness of various expensive materials, which are then applied by means of complex time-consuming processes. We describe a simple and inexpensive method for forming a
superhydrophobic coating using polypropylene (a simple polymer) and a
suitable selection of solvents and temperature to control the surface
roughness. The resulting gel-like porous coating has a water contact
angle of 160°. The method can be applied to a variety of surfaces as
long as the solvent mixture does not dissolve the underlying material.
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences
and Arts, Kocaeli University, 41300 
zmit, Kocaeli, Turkey.
2 Chemistry Department, College of Arts and
Sciences, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, 34450 Saryer,
stanbul, Turkey.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
yerbil{at}kou.edu.tr (H.Y.E); ldemirel{at}ku.edu.tr (A.L.D.)
