Abstract

Manouchehr Rad¹, Ramin Khajavi², Mina Abbasipour³, Siamak Nazemi⁴ and Amirhosein Berendjchi³

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/330313

In this study, it was aimed to fabricate a superhydrophobic layer as an air-retaining surface on a commercial wetsuit to reduce the drag force. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were synthesized in situ on the outer surface of a wetsuit through sol-gel method and then they were treated with hydrolyzed n-octyltriethoxysilane (OTES).  Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic-force microscopy (AFM) images showed a uniform formed coating of SiNPs on the surface of wetsuit. The values of Static water-contact angle (SWC) and water-shedding angle (WSA) for hydrolyzed samples were 153° (for a 10 µL water droplet) and 34° (for a 15 µL water droplet) respectively. Attributed to the desired formed air film, the wind tunnel test results showed drag reduction for coated wetsuit. The introduced product showed high potent for long distance swimming and triathlon.

Wetsuit; Drag force; Air retaining surface; Superhydrophobic surface; Air film

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