1 Centre of Excellence in Solid State Physics, University of the Punjab, Quid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore 54590, Pakistan.
2 Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2020, 08(03), 032-039
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2020.8.3.0458
Received on 18 November 2020; revised on 30 November 2020; accepted on 03 December 2020
The marvelous self-cleaning properties of lotus leaves and their superhydrophobic nature inspire the researchers to mimic such functionalities on cotton fabrics. The present work aimed to prepare and characterize true non-sticky superhydrophobic properties on cotton samples. The required combination of micro and nanostructure roughness was achieved by depositing the silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) on cotton surfaces by dip-coating method. To enhance adhesion and durability of silica particles with cotton, SiNPs were functionalized with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) before deposition. The surface energy of SiNPs coated cotton samples was lowered by functionalizing with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTS). The morphology, surface chemistry and wettability characterizations of prepared samples were performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and contact angle measurement system (goniometer) respectively. SEM micrographs revealed the nice decoration of SiNPs (having particles size range 90-150 nm) on the cotton fibers leaving to the hierarchical roughness. The EDX analysis confirmed the coatings of SiNPs and PFOTS. Contact angle measurements exhibited the superhydrophobic nature of prepared surfaces by static water contact angle of 157±2° and sliding angle of less than 5. The functionalized SiNPs/PFOTS cotton fabrics can effectively be used for self-cleaning applications.
Superhydrophobicity, Contact angle, Cotton fabrics, Silica nanoparticles, Self-cleaning
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Kanwal Zakir, Syeda Saniya Maham Shahzadi, Shafqat Rasool, Zakia Kanwal, Saira Riaz, Shahzad Naseem and Muhammad Akram Raza. Fabrication and characterization of superhydrophobic coatings on cotton fabrics using silica nanoparticles for self-cleaning applications. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2020, 8(3), 032-039. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2020.8.3.0458