Preparation of a New Super Hydrophobic Material Based on Zirconium[(3-ethylsulfanyl)–propyl]–phosphonate

In this paper, a new layered material zirconium­[(3-ethylsulfanyl)–propyl]–phosphonate (noted as ZEPP) was synthesized via the reaction between [(3-ethylsulfanyl)–propyl]–phosphonate and ZrOCl₂. The synthesized material was found to have spherical morphology with cavity and folded blades composited the spheres. Existence of nonpolar organic group (−CH₂CH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₃) in framework of the material and surface roughness make the material, without modification by any low-surface-energy reagent, has super hydrophobicity property. Water contact angle (CA) on pressing plate of the sample is about 152°, larger than other zirconium phosphonates reported