We have demonstrated that coating solutions prepared
by one-step cohydrolysis/cocondensation of TEOS with an
organic silane under alkaline condition can effectively generate
superhydrophobic surfaces on different fabrics (e.g.,
polyester, wool, and cotton). The nonhydrolyzable functional
groups brought by the organic silane played an
important role in determining the superhydrophobicity of
the coated fabrics. For some silane systems, such as the
ones containing fluorinated alkyl, long chain alkyl (C16),
and phenyl groups, the resultant surface superhydrophobicity
was little influenced by the intrinsic feature of
the fabric substrate, and the treatment led to a high water
contact angle (>170) and a low sliding angle (