Fabrication and Properties of Hydrophobically Modified ZnO–SiO2 Nanocomposite with Polysiloxane

Abstract

Studies on the wettability properties of solid surfaces are very important in any of the scienti c and industrial elds. The most common principle for a superhydrophobic self-cleaning surface is the lotus effect induced by surface roughness. In this study, silicate compounds have been used to produce hydrophobic surfaces. In this way, rstly, SiO 2 -ZnO nanocomposite was produced, and then vinyl trimethoxy silane was used to increase the water contact angle (WCA). The structure and morphology of nanocomposites were investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersion spectrometer (EDS) analyses. The thermal stability of nanocomposite coatings was examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In order to investigate the wetting properties, the surface roughness was measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM), where the subsurface roughness average was obtained at 37.79 nm. The WCA of the coated surfaces with ZnO-SiO 2 and ZnO-SiO 2 @Polysiloxane nanocomposites were measured at 69 and 160°, respectively, indicating the surface superhydrophobic properties of ZnO-SiO 2 @Polysiloxane nanocomposites. Finally, superhydrophobic properties of nanocomposites were investigated by the Cassie-Baxter model. The value of the f 2 parameter in the model was estimated at 0.9556. This means that air occupies about 95.56% of the contact area between the water droplet and nano-coating, which is responsible for the superhydrophobic property of the surface.

Facile preparation of hydrophobic coatings using modified ZnO/Silica composite nanoparticles

“…The chemicals were acquired from Merck and used without any further purification. Sol-gel synthesis, as detailed in our earlier publications [8][9][10][11][12][13], was employed to produce ZnO colloidal nanoparticles. Ammonia hydroxide in ethanol was used to hydrolyze TEOS in an alkaline environment.…”

“…The many useful characteristics of nano zinc oxide (ZnO) make it an attractive material for use in medicine. It helps heal wounds and infections because to its potent antibacterial properties [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Many medication delivery systems and medical devices may use it without worry because of its biocompatibility.…”

Surface Modification of NiO‐Al2O3 Nanocomposites using Stearic Acid as a Modifier and their Applications in Self‐cleaning and Removal of Dyes

“…[57] Barani et al modified Fe 3 O 4 -TiO 2 by stirring it with polyurethane for 6 h at 40 °C. [58] Ionbani et al modified ZnOÀ SiO 2 using polysiloxane, by autoclave treatment at 110 °C for 4 h. [59] Shao et al modified Al 2 O 3 with perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane by stirring for 8 h under N 2 protection and then drying at 120 °C for 24 h. [60] The reported methods require often high temperature (e. g. 40 °C to 160 °C), and longer time (e. g. 2 h to 4 days). In the present study, stearic acid was used for the surface modification of NiO-Al 2 O 3 nanocomposites.…”

“…Barani et al modified Fe 3 O 4 ‐TiO 2 by stirring it with polyurethane for 6 h at 40 °C [58] . Ionbani et al modified ZnO−SiO 2 using polysiloxane, by autoclave treatment at 110 °C for 4 h [59] . Shao et al modified Al 2 O 3 with perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane by stirring for 8 h under N 2 protection and then drying at 120 °C for 24 h [60]…”