Sticky superhydrophobic filter paper developed by dip-coating of fluorinated waterborne epoxy emulsion

A superhydrophobic and superoleophilic coating for oil filter paper was synthesized based on waterborne bisphenol-A novolac epoxy emulsion. The benzoic acid (BA) and maleic anhydride (MA) were used as modification agents to give the epoxy resin hydrophilic groups (carboxyl) and CC double bonds. And the fluorinated waterborne epoxy emulsion was prepared by free radical solution polymerization of dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA) monomer. The covalent bound low free energy fluorinated chains in the monomer reduce the surface energy of solidification polymers sufficiently to give rise to superhydrophobic behavior while conserving superoleophilicity. Surfaces prepared show a sticky property, which exhibits a static water contact angle of 152° for a 5 μL droplet that does not slid off even when the sample is held upside down. This synthetic emulsion is simple and convenient as impregnating agent for filter paper, which can be considered as a suitable candidate for various substrates such as cotton textiles, E-glass and artificial fiber, and so on.

► Fluorinated waterborne epoxy emulsion was synthesized for oil filter paper. ► Performances of fluorinated waterborne epoxy resin co-polymer were investigated. ► TEM was performed to observe the morphology of the emulsions particles. ► Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic filter paper was fabricated for O/W separation.