Superhydrophobic polymers polymer nanocomposites

Asthana, A., Maitra, T., Biichel, R., Tiwari, M.K., Poulikakos, D., 2014. Multifunctional superhydrophobic polymer/carbon nanocomposites graphene, carbon nanotubes, or carbon black ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 6. 

These silica nanoparticles generate surface roughness on the polybenzoxazine nanocomposite film, possessing both micro- and nanoscale binary structures. In addition, its appropriate chemical structure allows for reversible wettability operation. The as-prepared superhydrophobic surface is not wettable by pure water. Mohammad et al. [13] reported that aqueous solutions of various surfactants were able to wet a superhydrophobic surface since these surfactants reduced the siuface tension of the solutions. Soeno and co-workers [14] also reported wetting of their superhydrophobic surfaces with a water/ethanol mixture. In this study, ethanol was chosen to reduce the surface tension of the solvent and shift the superhydrophobic polymer film into wettable film through a relatively milder condition. 

Ihere are only a few recent studies on the fabrication and characterization of stand-alone bio-polymer nanocomposite films or coatings displaying Hquid repellent properties. Obeso et al. [23] developed a superhydrophobic surface by precipitation of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) on the surface of cellulose fibers of papers using a phase separation process. The same authors used a similar approach to synthesize biodegradable superhydrophobic poly (L-lactic acid) substrates in order to control cell adhesion. Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic porous poly (L-lactic acid) films were also prepared by Xue et al. for water-oil separation applications [24]. Yohe et al. [25] prepared 3D superhydrophobic materials from biocompatible... 

A. Steele, I. Bayer and E. Loth. Adhesion strength and superhydrophobicity of polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposite coatings. J. Appl. Polym. ScL, 125, E445-E452 (2012). 

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