Preparation of superhydrophobic poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO) fiber bundles

According to the reformed Cassie-Baxter equation, the superhydrophobic phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO) fiber bundle boats were fabricated from mimicking the lotus leaf venation using chemical surface modifications and roughness introduction. Water contact angles as high as 152.3° were achieved for PBO fiber bundles. Furthermore, the loading capacities of the superhydrophobic PBO fiber bundle boats were also measured. And the highest loading weight, 8.36 g, was obtained by the boats treated with 2.0 wt.% (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetradecyl)trimethoxysilane (HFTES). The large loading capacities were believed to arise from the air film surrounding the superhydrophobic surfaces of boats. The results of this study presented new applications of artificial hydrophobic surfaces in areas of miniature aquatic devices.

Research highlights▶ A novel PBO fiber with superhydrophobic property was prepared by the combination of rough surfaces and low surface energy material treatment. ▶ The PBO fiber boats cannot only float freely on a water surface but also exhibit large loading capacities, and the highest loading weight, 8.36 g, is achieved. ▶ The striking loading capacities of these boats are attributed to the air trapped around the fiber surface.