Lingang Hou

Facile Selective and Diverse Fabrication of Superhydrophobic, Superoleophobic-Superhydrophilic and Superamphiphobic Materials from Kaolin

As the starting material, kaolin is selectively and diversely fabricated to the superhydrophobic, superoleophobic-superhydrophilic, and superamphiphobic materials, respectively. The wettability of the kaolin surface can be selectively controlled and regulated to different superwetting states by choosing the corresponding modification reagent. The procedure is facile to operate, and no special technique or equipment is required. In addition, the procedure is cost-effective and time-saving and the obtained super-repellent properties are very stable. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrates different changes of kaolin particles surfaces which are responsible for the different super-repellency. The scanning electron microscopy displays geometric micro- and nanometer structures of the obtained three kinds of super-repellent materials. The results show that kaolin has good applications in many kinds of superwetting materials. The method demonstrated in this paper provides a new strategy for regulating and controlling the wettability of solid surfaces selectively, diversely, and comprehensively.

Fabrication of recyclable superhydrophobic materials with self-cleaning and mechanically durable properties on various substrates by quartz sand and polyvinylchloride

The recyclable superhydrophobic materials are successfully prepared by employing surface-functionalized quartz sand particles embedded into polyvinylchloride. The as-prepared superhydrophobic materials not only exhibited normal superhydrophobicity but also can retain excellent chemical stability and fascinating mechanical durability after many rigorous tests. These materials can pass the 5H pencil hardness test and maintain good superhydrophobicity even after 500 cm abrasion by a mechanical reciprocating abrasion test loaded of 500 g. Importantly, the debris that is scraped from the superhydrophobic materials can be recycled and easily reused to prepare the superhydrophobic materials. This method is suitable for large-scale production because it uses inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials and gets rids of sophisticated equipment, special atmospheres and harsh operation conditions. Its meaningful to a wide range of future applications in industry and real life.

Facile process for the fabrication of durable superhydrophobic fabric with oil/water separation property

A durable superhydrophobic fabric with oil/water separation property has been successfully prepared by introducing the modified silica nanoparticles and polysiloxane. The as-prepared fabric shows liquid repellency not only to water but also to coffee, milk and tea droplets, which are normal in daily life. Furthermore, the treated fabric shows simultaneous superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, which could be utilized as materials to separate oil/water mixture with high efficiency. It is important to note that the obtained fabric kept stable superhydrophobicity even after it suffered severe friction damage. The surface morphologies of untreated/treated fabrics were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy. The chemical compositions were characterized by X-ray photoelectric energy spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrum. This functionalized fabric will be helpful for developing superhydrophobic and selective oil adsorption materials.