Elucidating the interaction between polar alkoxysilane-modified silicate glass and ionic surfactant in the obtainment of hydrophobic transparent film

Soda-lime-silicate glass is a widely used material in industry and everyday life. For some applications, it is important to have hydrophobic properties of its surface and at the same time retain the transparency in the visible spectrum. This can be achieved using fluoroalkyl silanes as surface modifiers. However, fluorine shows severe health effects and the nowadays tendency is to use more appropriate substances for surface modification. In this work, we show the possibility of obtaining a hydrophobic and transparent film on silicate glass using alkoxysilanes with alkyl groups possessing terminal -NH2 and subsequent modification of such silanized glass using an anionic surfactant. The possible mechanism of the interaction between the chemisorbed silyl group and the dodecyl sulfate ion was discussed. [Display omitted] •IR Ratio-reflectance spectra successfully used for the investigation of nanofilms.•Silanized glass surface becomes hydrophobic only after treatment with a surfactant.•Similar silanes produce different structured nanofilms under same conditions.•Glass hydrophobicity is due to electrostatic interaction – mechanism explained.•Nanofilms obtained are UV-Vis transparent and hydrophobic.