Photoreactive Superhydrophobic Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials Composed of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) and Titanium Dioxide-Supported Perfluorinated Phthalocyanines

Abstract

To prepare coatings with enhanced self-cleaning properties, organic− inorganic hybrid materials were constructed that are composed of a polymer (poly(vinylidene fluoride)) with embedded particles (TiO 2 ) coated with a perfluorinated (C−H bond free) phthalocyanine photosensitizer and also containing the volatile salt ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Coatings prepared from this material were thermolyzed at 80 °C to volatilize the salt. The resulting coatings exhibit enhanced hydrophobicity as demonstrated by contact angles exceeding 150°, a property imparted by the surface roughness generated by gases and vapors released upon the thermal decomposition of the volatile salt. The surface roughening does not hinder the photogeneration of singlet oxygen, as evidenced by the photocatalyzed decomposition of a model dye, methyl orange, present in solutions placed in contact with the coatings. These new materials, which exhibit self-cleaning properties, could thus be useful for repelling pollutants through enhanced hydrophobicity and the lasting, catalytic degradation of contaminants by reactive oxygen species produced from light and air.

The Role of Singlet Oxygen, Superoxide, Hydroxide, and Hydrogen Peroxide in the Photoelectrochemical Response of Phenols at a Supported Highly Fluorinated Zinc Phthalocyanine

“…[2b,14] This PS, deposited on TiO 2 , has been shown to produce 1 O 2 while the material was embedded in polymers. [15] To verify that 1 O 2 is generated by F 64 PcZn j TiO 2 in buffer solution, a 1 O 2 quencher was employed. When choosing a quencher, it is imperative to understand if the alteration of the photocurrents is the result of a minimized reduction of 1 O 2 at the electrode surface, [3] due to the quenching reaction of 1 O 2 , or the result of an electrochemical reaction of the formed products after quenching.…”

“…[17a,18] The results were consistent with previous observations of polymer encapsulated F 64 PcZn j TiO 2 photoreactivity. [15] As 1 O 2 is a strong oxidant (E 0 = 0.65 V vs SHE), [1c] it is expected that it will be reduced at the electrode surface when reductive potentials, such as À 0.2 V vs SCE are applied, leading to the formation of ROS O 2 (eq. 1), H 2 O 2 (eq.…”

β-Cyclodextrin-Silica Hybrid: A Spatially Controllable Anchoring Strategy for Cu(II)/Cu(I) Complex Immobilization

“…Most explored inorganic supports are mesoporous materials [15][16][17][18], polymers [19,20], nanostructured supports [21,22], metal organic frameworks (MOF) [23], etc. [24].…”

Fluorinated Nanosilica Size Effect on Hierarchical Structure and Superhydrophobic Properties of the Epoxy Nanocomposite Film

“…Superhydrophobic polymer surfaces have received wide attention due to their good film-forming properties and high chemical stability. − The presence of low surface energy and hierarchical micro/nano pattern is critical to the desired superhydrophobic properties. The hierarchical micro/nano surface can reduce the solid–liquid contact area, forming an air pocket between the surface and the water droplet and thus having a small roll angle, which corresponds to the Cassie state. − …”