Controlled fabrication of non-fluoro polymer composite film with hierarchically nano structured fibers

• Water repellent property of EPF/graphite composite is investigated for first time.
• Viscosity of polymeric solution was controlled to obtain thin layer on the substrate.
• Hierarchical nanofibers fabricated using spray gun provides more surface roughness.
• Superhydrophobicity with water contact angle of 151° is observed.
• Single nano fiber with diameter of 500 nm was observed via SEM.

Hierarchically nano structured composite fibers were fabricated and characterized. The fibers composed of expanded polystyrene foam (EPF) embedded with varying graphite content were spray coated onto glass substrate. The FESEM and AFM images indicate well dispersed graphite and formation of thin nano fibers, which exhibited water contact angle of 151°. Diameter of a single fiber was noted to be ∼500 nm. The uniqueness of the present method is use of fluorine free raw materials, environment benign solvents and feasibility of applying over large surfaces.

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