On
the basis of Hansen solubility parameters (HSP), we investigated
octamethylsilsesquioxane (OMS), a siloxane compound with a cage-like
structure and methyl side chains, as an omniphobic substance. The
HSP of OMS were determined through dissolution tests to be similar
to those of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), leading to the prediction
that films comprising OMS should possess liquid-repellency comparable
to films comprising PTFE. Indeed, an electroless-plated Ni–P
film composite with OMS particles (Ni–P/OMS film) exhibited
liquid-repellency comparable to or higher than that of the Ni–P
film composite with PTFE particles, except toward 1-bromonaphthalene,
which has a low surface free energy. Moreover, the hydrophilic influence
of the Ni–P matrix was eliminated by the use of polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS) as the matrix instead of Ni–P, resulting in enhanced
liquid-repellency and water-sliding behavior of the solution-sprayed
PDMS film composite with the OMS particles (PDMS/OMS film). These
films comprising OMS particles are promising candidates for nonfluorinated
liquid-repellent films.