Preparation and physical properties of superhydrophobic papers

In this study, we developed a facile method for preparing a superhydrophobic paper surface using a multi-layer deposition of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC) and silica particles, followed by a fluorination surface treatment with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (POTS, CF3(CF2)5CH2CH2Si(OC2H5)3). The superhydrophobic wood fiber products prepared in this study have contact angles of water greater than 150° and sliding angles less than 5°. Besides their high water repelling property, the superhydrophobic paper products kept a high tensile strength at high relative humidity condition. The superhydrophobic paper products also showed high resistance to bacterial contamination.

Graphical abstractBoth the surface roughness and hydrophobicity of wood fiber can be modified. The combination of nano-scale roughness and hydrophobicity could convert wood fibers from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic with a water contact angle >150°.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide