Smooth and Transparent Films Showing Paradoxical Surface Properties: The Lower the Static Contact Angle, the Better the Water Sliding Performance

Smooth and transparent hydrophilic films showing excellent water sliding properties were prepared by using a sol–gel solution of 2-[methoxy (ethyleneoxy)₁₀ propyl]­trimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane. The resulting hybrid films were statically hydrophilic (static water contact angles (CAs) were in the range of 30–45°), but water droplets (50 μL) could move smoothly on an inclined surface (minimum sliding angle was 6°) without pinning or tailing because of low CA hysteresis (5 ± 1°). Thanks to this hybrid film formation on aluminum (Al) substrate, drainage performance during condensation and frosting/defrosting markedly improved compared to that on hydrophilic, bare Al, or hydrophobic monolayer-covered Al substrates.