Combined dip- and spin-coating for functionalizing polymeric nonwovens via Fiber-nanoparticle electrostatic...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Uniform nanoparticle coatings on nonwoven fabrics are crucial for advanced applications.
• Controlling electrostatic interactions is key for effective nanoparticle adhesion.
• Fabric properties like fiber diameter influence coating homogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve controlled deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles onto polypropylene nonwoven fabrics.
• To investigate the impact of electrostatic interactions and processing conditions on coating uniformity and stability.
• To explore the suitability of these coated fabrics for dynamic environments.

Main Methods:

• Tuning electrostatic interactions via pH-dependent zeta potential adjustments.
• Utilizing centrifugal drying to minimize nanoparticle agglomeration.
• Employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology analysis.
• Conducting computational simulations to understand deposition mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Oppositely charged fiber and particle surfaces promote effective adhesion.
• Surface coverage is significantly influenced by the ionic composition of the dispersion medium.
• Centrifugal drying yields more uniform coatings than passive evaporation.
• Finer fibers result in more homogeneous nanoparticle layers compared to coarser fibers.
• Computational simulations confirm the importance of surface charge and fiber diameter.

Conclusions:

• Controlled TiO2 nanoparticle deposition on polypropylene fabrics is feasible through electrostatic interactions.
• The developed coatings exhibit high stability, making them suitable for dynamic applications.
• This technique offers a pathway for creating functionalized nonwoven materials for systems like photocatalytic flow reactors.