Developments of micromorphology on ceramic surfaces

In this thesis, ceramic surfaces with superhydrophobic behaviour wereaimed to be obtained. A surface having water contact angle higher than 1500 isnamed as a superhydrophobic surface. To exhibit superhydrophobic feature, asurface should have micron scale roughness on an inherently hydrophobicmaterial. For this reason, micron scale roughness was formed on glazed tilesurfaces by using fugitive organic materials. Morphology evolution of surfaceswas examined by scanning electron microscopy. These surfaces were coated by anorganic material. Contact angle of coated surfaces with morphology, flat surfaceand coated flat surface were measured by contact angle goniometer and compared.Theoretical surface roughness factor was calculated for surfaces which havesuitable morphology. There was no correlation between the roughness factor andcontact angles measured. However, contact angle of coated surfaces wereimproved from about 100o to about 130o by creating surface morphology.Keywords: Easy Clean Surfaces, Superhydrophobic, Ceramic, Lotus