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Published on: June 20, 2019
Simultaneous coating of silica particles by two diblock copolymers
Dean Xiong1, Guojun Liu, E J Scott Duncan
1Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, 90 Bader Lane, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 4, 2012
Summary
Silica particles coated with two polymers create tunable superhydrophobic surfaces. Adjusting polymer ratios and solvents controls surface wetting properties for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Silica particles are versatile substrates for surface modification.
- Diblock copolymers offer unique self-assembly properties.
- Controlling surface properties is crucial for advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To coat silica particles with two distinct diblock copolymers.
- To investigate the tunability of surface wetting properties.
- To create superhydrophobic silica surfaces.
Main Methods:
- One-pot synthesis of silica particles coated with PIPSMA-b-PFOEMA and PIPSMA-b-PtBA copolymers.
- HCl-catalyzed co-condensation of PIPSMA blocks onto silica surfaces.
- Thermogravimetric analysis to quantify copolymer ratios.
- Solvent-selective casting to form thin films.
Main Results:
- Successfully coated silica particles with PIPSMA-b-PFOEMA and PIPSMA-b-PtBA.
- Tunable surface wetting properties achieved by altering copolymer ratios and casting solvents.
- Superhydrophobic films obtained using a perfluorinated solvent (C(7)F(14)) due to PFOEMA enrichment.
Conclusions:
- The method allows for precise control over the surface chemistry of silica particles.
- Tunable surface wetting, including superhydrophobicity, can be engineered.
- These coated silica particles are promising for applications requiring specific surface properties.
