Cleaning and anti-reflective (AR) hydrophobic coating of glass surface: a review from materials science perspective

Abstract: This article reviews the principles, mechanisms and comparisons of glass surface cleaning by various wet chemical and dry cleaning methods, including acid–base–solvent combinations, HF etching, chelation, vapor degreasing, UV–ozone, oxygen plasma, heating/pyrolysis, ultrasonic and laser treatments. This article also covers four major hydrophobic coating strategies, namely hydrosilylation, silanization, plasma treatment and DC sputtering, along with their process-wise applications. A special emphasis is given on the silanization process: its mechanism, factors affecting, choices of solvents and precursors, and limitations, which is utilized in anti-reflective (AR) sol–gel coating formation as well. Some of the common surface analytical techniques, its utility and reported data has also been reviewed in this context. Finally, a section has been devoted to anti-reflective (AR) and transmittance properties, elucidating the theory and methods of AR coating generation, factors affecting and related literature reports. The challenge lies in coming up with non-harsh cleaning procedures and water-based hydrophobic coatings, with an eye for application in ecological proximity. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]