Formation of Nanoporous Polycarbonate Surfaces and Their Chemical Modification for Superhydrophobicity

Polycarbonates (PCs) are a particular group of thermo-plastic polymers that contain carbonate groups (-O-CO-O-). PCs are nontoxic and temperature resistant with high mechanical strength, low water absorption, and good optical properties, including transparency. However, they easily dis-solve in organic solvents (i.e., dichloromethane or toluene). Nevertheless, PC is a very attractive material for a wide range of applications in housewares, CDs and DVDs, elec-tronic equipments, and machine parts.1-5 In the near future, after the further improvement of a few of its physical proper-ties, PC will replace automobile glass. Transparent polymers have already been used as precision optical parts such as optical lenses.6 The surface energy and surface structure of PC are controlled by the polymer’s surface properties. For instance, the wetting behavior of a PC surface depends on its