The wetting gradient surface has potential application value in such fields as ship anti-fouling and submarine drag reduction, requiring further research on low-cost and low-complexity wetting gradient surface preparation technology.

The preparation and static wetting characteristics of a silica-based wetting gradient surface are analyzed using vapor deposition, alkali corrosion and a combination of both.

The contact angle using vapor deposition reaches 104.9°, with a largest range of about 23°; that using alkali corrosion reaches 80.2°, with a largest range of about 60°; and that using both methods reaches 102.1°, with a largest range of about 40°.

The results of this study can provide references for the preparation of functional surfaces for marine equipment.