Synthesis and characterization of hydrophobic glass-ceramic thin film derived from colloidal silica, zirconium(IV) propoxide and methyltrimethoxysilane via sol–gel method

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of Zirconium(IV) Propoxide (ZTP), Colloidal Silica (CS), and Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)-derived non-stick hard coatings prepared via the sol–gel method. In the synthetic procedure, two different solutions were prepared separately based on the different hydrolysis rates of the silicon (SolS) and zirconium (SolZ) components. Polydimethoxysilane (PDMS) and Fluoralkylsilane (FAS) were used as hydrophobicity-promoting agents. The solution was applied onto aluminum surface, which was afterward dried and densified at 250 °C. The final solution was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy to determine the Zr–O–Si hetero-bonding and Si–O–Si and Zr–O–Zr homo-bonding. Coatings were analyzed by their hardness, hydrophobicity, and gloss. A homogeneous solution and crack-free hybrid coating was obtained. FTIR results showed that homo- and hetero-bonding between Zr and Si elements were obtained from a precipitation-free solution. Measured contact angles varied between 100° and 112°, and these results were evaluated according to the surface and gel structure.