Aging time effect on wettability and transparency of Hexamethyldisilazane-modified silica thin film

In this research, Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)-modified silica thin films were deposited on a glass substrate. Effect of aging times (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72, 288, and 336 h) on the wettability and transparency of the thin films were investigated. The thin films were characterized by using grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD), UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurement methods. The results showed that the average transmittance of the glass-coated sample decreased by increasing the aging time (92 %–52 %) whereas the contact angle increased by aging time (46°–161°). The HMDS-modified silica thin film has a rough surface and a high-density porous structure, and the film surface has a nano-micro structure.