Deposition of Super-Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Fluorocarbon Films in Radio Frequency Glow Discharges

Fluorocarbon films using a monomer, 1H, 1H, 2H-perfluoro–1-dodecene were deposited in a continuous radio frequency (RF) glow discharge, the process was carried out in a parallel-plate RF discharge onto stainless steel reactor in order to produce coating with a water-and oil–repellent surface. Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the films obtained contain mainly perfluoromethylene (CF₂) species. Film wettability was tested using water and hydrocarbon liquids for contact angle measurements, furthermore surface energy was also calculated. Oil-repellency was found to increase as the amount of CF₂ species increases in the film structure. Film morphology was studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), films showing an usual morphology from that typical of Plasma Polymerised Fluorocarbon (PPFC) films. The combination of the low surface energy coating and the surface morphology produces materials which are both water and oil repellency.