Decorated Electrospun Fibers Exhibiting Superhydrophobicity

Hierarchically roughened nonwoven fabrics that exhibit superhydrophobic behavior (see figure) are obtained by decorating electrospun fibers (diameter ca. 1 μm) with pores or particles of a diameter of ca. 100 nm, followed by surface hydrophobization. The enhanced hydrophobicity, due to a second level of roughness originating from the introduction of pores or particles, is evidenced by higher contact angles and lower contact-angle hysteresis.