Facile Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surface via SiO₂/Fluoro-Containing Polymer Composite Particles

Abstract

SiO2/fluoro-containing polymer (SiO2/PFS) composite particles consisting of a vinyl-functional silica core with grafted mixed block copolymer were prepared by emulsion polymerization with styrene and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl methacrylate as the reaction monomers. Vinyl-functional silica spheres and SiO2/PFS composite particles were characterized by SEM, FT-IR spectroscopy, TEM and XPS. The results indicate that fluoro-containing polymer has been successfully grafted onto the surface of vinyl-functional silica sphere and SiO2/PFS particle has a core-shell structure. The SiO2/PFS coating possesses a micro/nano-scale hierarchical structure and low surface free energy, which are prerequisite surface properties for obtaining superhydrophobicity. The static water contact angle on the SiO2/PFS coating has as high as 171° and water droplet can easily roll off the coated substrate.