Grafting of fluorosilane molecule on aluminum substrate using a two-step functionalization technique

Abstract

This study aims to functionalize the surface of 6061 aluminum substrates with fluorinated molecules (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane). Grafting of molecules with low surface energy such as fluorinated molecules enhance the hydrophobicity of surfaces that can help minimize the clinging of water molecules onto the surface. The said grafting is done through a two-step functionalization technique through NaOH submersion then fluorosilane-ethanol solution treatment. The presence of Si-O-Si vibrational modes in the infrared spectra indicates that the grafting of the fluorosilane molecules onto the sample had occurred. In addition, increased hydrophobicity was observed which produced a water contact angle of as high as 149 ± 4° compared to untreated samples with 109 ± 5°.