Evaluation of the surface properties of PTFE foam coating filter media using XPS and contact angle measurements

A newly developed PTFE foam coating filter was developed which can be used for hot gas cleaning at temperatures up to 250 °C. The emulsion-type PTFE was coated onto a woven glass fiber using a foam coating method. The filter surface was closely examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. The XPS results were used to determine the binding force between the carbon and fluorine of PTFE, which imparts coating stability to the filter medium. More than 95% of the bonds of the PTFE foam coating filter were between carbon and fluorine, and this filter demonstrated excellent hydrophobic and good oleophobic properties at the same time. The contact angles of liquid droplets on the filter surface were used to predict the potential wetability of the filter against water or oil. In addition, the very low surface free energy of the filter medium, which was evaluated using the Owens-Wendt method, demonstrates a very stable surface and a high de-dusting quality.

Research highlights▶ The PTFE foam coating filter demonstrates an excellent hydrophobic and good oleophobic properties at the same time. ▶ The contact angle of liquid droplets on the filter surface was used to predict the potential wetability of the filter against water or oil. ▶ In addition, very low surface free energy of the filter medium, which was evaluated using the Owens-Wendt method, resulted in a very stable surface and high de-dusting quality.