Fabrication of asymmetrically superhydrophobic cotton fabrics via mist copolymerization of 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate

Abstract

We report here a simple strategy for fabricating asymmetrically superhydrophobic cotton fabric via a mist copolymerization of three monomers, 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFMA), 2‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM), and divinylbenzene (DVB). The copolymer layer on the cotton surface was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and attenuated total reflection (ATR) accessory, and the nanoscale hierarchical structures in the polymeric layer were demonstrated by observation of field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM). Surface characterization reveals that the modified surface is superhydrophobic, but the opposite side of the modified cotton fabric has the hydrophilic nature of cotton. More experimental data suggest that the good water adsorptivity and vapor transmissibility of the original cotton fabric were inherited after the surface modification. These properties are of great significance in textile and medical applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1862–1871

Single-faced flame resistance of cotton fabrics modifiedviamist copolymerization

“…The three monomers in the mist copolymerization play respective roles: DVB is used as a crosslinker; MA is designed to introduce ester groups to react with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose; and PBBA acts as the functional monomer to decrease the ammability of cotton fabric. Our previous works 45,46 reported that the diameters of the mist droplets range from 150 to 500 nm, and only a small number of the droplets (about 3%) is xed on the cotton surface during the mist feeding. Therefore, mist copolymerization generally results a thin polymeric layer on a single side surface of the substrate.…”

“…Asymmetrically superhydrophobic, 45,46 and wear-resistant 47 cotton fabrics were fabricated by feeding atomized monomer solutions to an in situ polymerization to build thin polymeric coatings on the cotton fabrics. The advantages of the mist polymerization include wider range of applicable monomers, tailorable coating thinness and surface morphology, simple operation, single faced modication, and almost no damage to the original properties of the fabric.…”

Recent Advances in the Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surfaces

“…The original good vapor transmissibility and water adsorptivity of the opposite unmodified cotton side were inherited. 89 This can prevent mildew and extend the scope of cotton applications under moist conditions. Not only can the superhydrophobic surface possess a simple static waterproof function, but the more excellent superhydrophobic surfaces that can resist against the drop water impact have been also obtained via advanced methods.…”

“…The grafting method plays a significant role in fabricating a superhydrophobic surface with long-term stability owing to the relatively strong chemical bonding force. The grafting coating can be achieved through different procedures including solution immersion, 19,29 thermal treatment, 13 atomization, 89 and so on. Taking advantage of the grafting method, a large number of superhydrophobic surfaces have been prepared.…”

“…Liu et al prepared superhydrophobic fabrics through three monomers' mist copolymerization and bonding the copolymer chain on the cotton fabrics covalently. 89 They used three monomers, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFMA), divinylbenzene (DVB), and 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM), for serving as low-surface-energy materials for superhydrophobicity to enhance nanoscale roughness and to make copolymer chains covalently link onto the substrate, respectively. From this, we can learn that a functional superhydrophobic surface can be prepared via grafting copolymers on a substrate.…”