Preparation of fluoroalkyl-acrylate-modified polysiloxane nanocomposite and its surface properties as a superhydrophobic coating material

Abstract

Based on the as-synthesized modified polysiloxane containing pendant long-chain fluoroalkyl and silanoxy (PFAS) in our previous work, an in situ condensation reaction with silica sol was carried out to prepare a fluoroacrylate-modified polysiloxane nanocomposite. The polysiloxane nanocomposite was then applied as a fabric finish to construct a superhydrophobic coating. The structural and thermal properties of the polymer, surface morphology, surface composition and hydrophobicity of the fabric coatings, polymer fine microstructure, and performance properties of the treated fabrics were researched using infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and measurement of the contact angle, whiteness, and softness. The characterization results showed that the product had good thermal stability. The static contact angle and rolling contact angle on the finished fabric surface were 163.5° and 7°, respectively. The whiteness and softness were basically similar to those of untreated fabrics. Moreover, due to the stable covalent bond between the silica particles and the polymers, the static contact angle remained 152.3° after 15 cycles of washing, which indicates that it has good water resistance.