In Situ Incorporation of Pores and Nanoparticles into Polymer Surfaces Using Melt Crystallization

Engineering the surface properties of a material without affecting its bulk properties is desirable for many applications, but it is often not readily achievable because it requires a complex series of processing steps. This study presents for the first time a simple and straightforward method that can convert regular flat polymer surfaces into various porous composite surfaces. The controlled dissolution of the polymer surface by a dispersion and subsequent melt crystallization allows for the successful embedding of dispersed inorganic or organic particles in the pore walls. The porous surface morphology is not significantly affected by the type of dispersed particle, but the contact and sliding angles and surface wettability are. Both superhydrophobic and oil/water separation surfaces can be conveniently fabricated from flat polymer surfaces. This novel and versatile technique could provide engineering freedom for the future development of various functional materials.