Surprising High Hydrophobicity of Polymer Networks
from Hydrophilic Components
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
We report a simple and inexpensive
method of fabricating highly hydrophobic novel materials based on
interpenetrating networks of polyamide and poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate)
hydrophilic components. The process is a single-step solution casting
from a common solvent, formic acid, of polyamide and ethyl cyanoacrylate
monomers. After casting and subsequent solvent evaporation, the in
situ polymerization of ethyl cyanoacrylate monomer forms polyamide-poly(ethyl
cyanoacrylate) interpenetrating network films. The interpenetrating
networks demonstrate remarkable waterproof properties allowing wettability
control by modulating the concentration of the components. In contrast,
pure polyamide and poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) films obtained from formic
acid solutions are highly hygroscopic and hydrophilic, respectively.
The polymerization of ethyl cyanoacrylate in the presence of polyamide
promotes molecular interactions between the components, which reduce
the available hydrophilic moieties and render the final material hydrophobic.
The wettability, morphology, and thermo-physical properties of the
polymeric coatings were characterized. The materials developed in
this work take advantage of the properties of both polymers in a single
blend and above all, due to their hydrophobic nature and minimal water
uptake, can extend the application range of the individual polymers
where water repellency is required