Polymer Self‐Etching for Superhydrophobicity through a Green Hot‐Pressing‐Exfoliation Process: Low and High Adhesion. Issue 6 (13th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiong, Zhong; Zheng, Chenglin; Xia, Yanzhi
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 301:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 653
• Page End: 658
• Publication Date: 2016-04-13
• Subjects: high adhesion -- hot‐pressing‐exfoliation -- low density polyethylene -- self‐etching -- superhydrophobic; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201500465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract : A polymer self‐etching strategy is applied to fabricate superhydrophobic low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) films with low adhesion (sliding angle <5°) and high adhesion through a simple and green hot‐pressing‐exfoliation process. Hierarchical micro‐ and nanostructures are observed in the exfoliated LDPE surfaces and superhydrophobic vessels can be obtained. Abstract : A green polymer self‐etching strategy for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces exhibiting low and high adhesion is proposed by using hot‐pressing and exfoliation on a pair of low density polyethylene (LDPE) films. It is demonstrated that the hot‐pressing temperature has significant influence on the surface morphology of LDPE. Effective hot‐pressing temperature for low‐adhesive superhydrophobicity ranges from 109 to 161 °C. Bird's‐nest like micro‐/nanostructures are observed in the unzipped LDPE surfaces compressed at 109 °C, which shows excellent water repellency. LDPE surface compressed at 108 °C demonstrates superhydrophobicity with high adhesion, i.e., a water droplet cannot roll off even when the surface is turned upside down. Furthermore, superhydrophobic vessels are processed and applied to transport water and microdroplets of water losslessly.