| abstract |
The present invention provides a method of forming a glass article having a transparent hydrophobic surface during a glass-forming operation. In accordance with the method, a plurality of solid particles of inorganic material having an average diameter of less than about 400 nm are applied to a surface of the glass article when the glass article is at a temperature within the range of from about 700° C. to about 1200° C. The inorganic particles fuse to the surface of the glass article to form the transparent hydrophobic surface. Optionally, a fluorosilane agent can be applied to the transparent hydrophobic surface to further increase its hydrophobicity. The transparent hydrophobic surface has a nano-structured texture, which makes the surface of the glass article very hydrophobic and easy to clean. In addition, application of the transparent hydrophobic surface to the glass article does not adversely affect the optical clarity of the glass article and it helps reduce the amount of incident light reflected from the surface of the glass article. |