Importance of lotus effect on surface sensing

Superhydrophobic polymer films are a material of interest for aircraft deicing fluids to achieve the selfcleaning lotus effect. Hydrophobic polymer films were obtained by a solvent selective method composed of hydrophilic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) and hydrophilic titania nanoparticles. The addition of titania nanoparticles changed the surface of the thin films from an anisotropic morphology to a spherical isotropic surface due to hydrophobic and hydrophilic repulsion. Irradiation of UV responsive titania nanoparticles retained the same surface morphology. Water contact angle measurements will be completed to determine the hydrophobic nature of the polymer films.