Preparation of superhydrophobic cauliflower-like silica nanospheres with tunable water adhesion

A new superhydrophobic material with cauliflower morphology was prepared with a one-step introduction of organic groups on the materials surface. Rough surface structure and heterogeneous surface chemical composition could be directly obtained. Adjustment of the phenyl group content was utilized to modulate the surface wettability, and different hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and superhydrophobic materials could be obtained by simply controlling the ratio of phenyl groups and silanols. The dynamic wettability of the superhydrophobic materials could be flexibly tuned between water repellent and water adhesive by the adjustment of the surface chemical composition. Especially the unique water-adhesive superhydrophobic material demonstrates capacity in solid and water transfer, and it may show wide application in the future.