1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane

1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane(FOTS) is a fluorinated alkyl silane that is majorly used for improving the wettability of the substrate by lowering the surface energy. It facilitates a superhydrophobic coating by enriching the surface with CF₃ group and a water contact angle above 150°.

Triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro-1-octyl)silane (POTS) is a fluorine based polymer. POTS possesses low surface free energy leading to its anti-adhesive behavior to polar and non-polar substances. It shows very good weathering stability on account of the carbon- fluorine bond. POTS hydrolyzes in wet environment to form silane based film and self healing anticorrosive polymers, the film formed from the hydrolysis and polycondensation of POTS and water is hydrophobic in nature. This wetting property acts in repelling aqueous electrolyte solution away from metallic substrates and hence providing corrosion protection to metal substrate.

POTS can be used as a silane based coating on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to synthesize a membrane for the removal of hazardous volatile organic compounds. Glass substrates can be modified with POTS to increase the contact angle for 3D reactive inkjet printing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It can also be used in the synthesis of superhydrophobic carbon nanotubes(CNT) hollow membranes for membrane desalination (MD) as eco-friendly products of fresh water. It is deposited on the roughened surface of titanium to render it superhydrophobic. POTS may be used as a component of fluorine modified ORMOCER (Organically Modified Ceramics) coating materials.