Abstract
Self-assembled monolayers of long-chain alkyl imidazolium-based ionic liquid [C16tespim]X (X = Br–, BF4–, PF6–, Tf2N–) were grafted onto soda glass surfaces by –Si–O– covalent bonding. These monolayers transformed the wetting behaviour of the glass from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity as investigated by water contact angle measurement. Exchange of the counteranion of the ionic liquids could tailor the surface wettability. It was found that the contact angle could be up to 112±4° on the glass surfaces when Tf2N– was the counteranion. The transmittance of glass-grafted ionic liquid monolayers was similar to that of the common glass.
