1 research outputs found
Textile with Durable Janus Wetting Properties Produced by Plasma Polymerization
The
development of coating methods that enable us to combine antagonist
properties on a single material is a real challenge. This active research
topic can impact, for instance, the textile field to engineer fabrics
with liquid-repellent properties on one side and superhydrophilic
properties on the opposite side. In this context, we have developed
an easy surface functionalization process that provides durable Janus
wetting properties to fabrics. On the basis of plasma-enhanced chemical
vapor deposition (PECVD), we report a simple and reproducible three-step
functionalization method that led to a coating with superhydrophobic
and superoleophobic properties on one side of the porous substrate
and superhydrophilic properties on the opposite side. A thin, fluorinated
polymer film was deposited on one side, while the other side was functionalized
with a polymer coating made of maleic anhydride, subsequently hydrolyzed
to provide carboxylic acid groups to the surface. Static contact angles
up to 169° with water and 162° with hexadecane were obtained
on the fluorinated side of the fabric thanks to an appropriate combination
of surface chemistry with dual-scale surface roughness. In addition,
roll-off angles of 6 and 14° with water and hexadecane, respectively,
were measured on this side of the sample. As for the opposite side,
the hydrolyzed plasma polymer made of maleic anhydride enables us
to obtain a surface that fully absorbs water and hexadecane. In addition,
these tremendous properties were durable because no significant change
was observed after aging and washing cycles. This simple surface functionalization
process based on plasma polymerization is an innovative solution for
the fabrication of textile with durable waterproof and breathable
properties. Besides, the described concept can be adapted to numerous
other applications that require Janus properties to porous substrates