Fabrication of superhydrophobic niobium pentoxide thin films by anodization

We report a simple method to fabricate a niobium oxide film with a lotus-like micro–nano surface structure. Self-assembled niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) films with superhydrophobic property were fabricated by an anodization and a hydrophobic treatment. This process has several advantages such as low cost, simplicity and easy coverage of a large area. The surface of fabricated Nb2O5 film was changed from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic surface by a treatment using fluoroaldyltrimethoxysilane (FAS) solution. This value is considered to be the lowest surface free energy of any solid, based on the alignment of -CF3 groups on the surface. In particular, among FAS coated surfaces, the micro–nano complex cone structured Nb2O5 film showed the highest water-repellent property with a static contact angle of ca. 162°. This study gives promising routes from biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces.