Preparation of a super-hydrophobic poly(vinyl chloride) surface via solvent–nonsolvent coating

A new simple approach was developed to obtain a super-hydrophobic PVC surface via solvent–nonsolvent coating without addition of low-surface-energy compounds. Also, the PVC film is nearly or still maintains its super-hydrophobicity when contacting with acid, alkali or salt solutions. SEM shows that compared with common smooth PVC surface, a lotus-like structure with micro- and nano-papillae was obviously observed on the hydrophobic PVC surfaces. Such a special surface microstructure may result in the super-hydrophobicity. A brief explanation to the formation of the special microstructure was put forward on the basis of diffusion, tension break and micro- and nano-phase separation.