Antifouling Transparent ZnO Thin Films Fabricated Using Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma

Antifouling Transparent ZnO Thin Films Fabricated Using Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma

Abstract

One of the problems with outdoor-mounted solar cells is that power generation efficiency is reduced by face plate dirt. Also, one problem with electronic touch panels is the deterioration of screen visibility caused by finger grease stains. In order to solve these problems, we need to fabricate antifouling transparent thin films which have both superhydrophobicity and oil-repellency on glass substrates by forming fractal microstructure(s). In our experiment, silicon oxide particles 100 nm in diameter were arranged on glass substrates. Secondly, a zinc oxide film with a columnar structure was spread radiantly on the spherical surface of the silicon oxide particles by atmospheric pressure cold plasma deposition. Furthermore, an antifouling monolayer was spread using a chemical adsorbing technique onto the surface of zinc oxide. We found that one sample had a superhydrophobic ability with a water droplet contact angle of more than 150 deg., while another sample had a high transmittance (more than 85%) with a wavelength ranging from 400 to 800 nm.