Abstract: In this paper, we have developed base-catalyzed and acid-catalyzed approach of pure SiO2 sols by one-pot sol-gel method, respectively. Through the test and comparison of the transmittance and the wear resistance of the two groups of samples, the effect of alkali and acid catalysis on the performance of the film was put forward, and the catalytic mechanism was analyzed. Base catalyst monolayer film transmission can be as high as 98.781%, while the acid catalyst is 95.285%. This shows that the base catalyst can get films with higher transmittance. The mechanical property of the alkali film is poor, while the mechanical properties of the acid film are good, and the mechanism of hydrophobic wear-resistant film is given. By measuring surface water contact angles of the films before and after surface treatment we found that alkali film and acid film water contact angle can reach 126.5° and 94.5°, respectively. The result shows that the hydrophobic performance of films can be improved obviously after surface treatment.

Key words: SiO2, anti-reflection coating, sol-gel, hydrophobic, surface modification