Self-cleaning and superhydrophobic CuO coating by jet-nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique

We demonstrate for the first time the fabrication of a superhydrophobic CuO coating with excellent self-cleaning ability by a custom-made jet nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique. A stable Cassie–Baxter superhydrophobic wetting state (water contact angle, ~154°) was maintained even after high speed water jet impact on a monoclinic CuO crystallite coating, which realizes the robust feature of coating. The mist-type aerosol distribution from the nebulizer controls the resultant morphology of the CuO film, thereby tuning the superhydrophobic properties. The low-cost (~$1) portable pocket-sized nebulizer affords reliable CuO superhydrophobic coatings on a wide range of desired host surfaces.