A simple method to prepare miniature quartz fiber boats with superhydrophobicity

According to the reformed Cassie-Baxter equation, a superhydrophobic quartz fiber bundle boat was fabricated from mimicking the lotus leaf venation using chemical surface modifications and roughness introductions. Water contact angles as high as 165.8° were achieved for quartz fiber cloths. The loading capacities of the miniature boats made from the superhydrophobic quartz fiber bundles were measured. The highest loading weight, 10.19 g, was obtained by the boats with 2.0 mm spacing distance between fiber bundles. The striking loading capacities were believed to stem from the air film surrounding the superhydrophobic surfaces of the boats. The results of this study presented new applications of artificial hydrophobic surfaces in areas of aquatic devices.