Synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods from chemical bath deposition at different pH solutions and impact on their surface properties

The future of new generation superhydrophobic coatings supply depends on modern breakthroughs concerning the stability, low cost, simple synthesis process, sustainability and multi-functionality important for a futuristic application in field of science and technologies. Here we use a low-cost, and simple chemical bath deposition (CBD) to produce vertical-aligned ZnO nanorods with hydrophilic nature. Furthermore, hydrophilic surface has been converted into superhydrophobic surface by annealing at 460 °C in air for 1 h. It switches surface from Wenzel to Cassie-Baxter wettability states are corresponded to a transformation from non-polar into a polar nature occurs at top surface of ZnO nanorods. In addition, the effect of pH on their surface morphology, surface topography, surface roughness, ZnO nanorods growth nature, chemical composition, wettability and surface free energy is also systematically focused as an essential step to understanding functional surfaces with their futuristic applications. [Display omitted] •Simple and cost effective fabrication methods.•Successfully fabricate vertical ZnO nanorods with superhydrophobic nature.•Surface polarity controlled by monitoring pH and annealing process.•Surface polar component measured on basis of GGFY approaches.