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Published on: February 11, 2020
A Superhydrophobic and Oleophobic Silicone Sponge with Hierarchical Structures
Jinfeng Cao1, Dengxu Wang1, Lili Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Special Functional Aggregated Materials & Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry (Shandong University) Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China.
This study presents a simple method to create durable, amphiphobic silicone sponges with hierarchical structures. These sponges repel both oil and water, showing great potential for liquid separation applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fabricating amphiphobic materials, especially 3D porous ones, is challenging.
- Amphiphobic sponges are underexplored materials for liquid manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a superhydrophobic and oleophobic silicone sponge (SS-F) with hierarchical structures.
- To investigate the stability and liquid-repelling properties of the synthesized sponge.
Main Methods:
- Hierarchical structures were built on a pre-existing hydrophobic/oleophilic silicone sponge.
- The thiol-ene click reaction was employed for efficient synthesis.
- Structural characterization confirmed uniform composition and hierarchical features.
Main Results:
- The secondary microstructure significantly enhanced liquid repellency.
- The rough, porous surface design provided excellent durability.
- The SS-F demonstrated stability under extreme temperatures, mechanical stress, and long-term storage.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a simple and efficient route to amphiphobic 3D porous materials.
- The SS-F's dual superhydrophobicity and oleophobicity enable effective oil-water separation.
- Hierarchical structuring is a promising strategy for advanced porous material design.
