Durable Superomniphobic Surface on Cotton Fabrics via Coating of Silicone Rubber and Fluoropolymers

Abstract

Performance textiles that protect human from different threats and dangers from environment are in high demand, and the advancement in functionalization technology together with employing advanced materials have made this an area of research focus. In this work, silicone rubber and environmentally friendly fluoropolymers have been employed to explore superomniphobic surface on cotton fabrics without compromising comfort much. It has been found that a cross-linked network between the rubber membrane and the fluoropolymers has been formed. The surface appearance, morphology, handle, thickness and chemical components of the surface of cotton fabrics have been changed. The coated fabrics showed resistance to water, aqueous liquid, oil, chemicals and soil. The comfort of the coated fabrics is different to uncoated cotton fabrics due to the existence of coated layers on the surface of cotton fabrics. This work would benefit the development and design of the next generation of performance textiles with balanced performance and comfort.

The Bacterial Life Cycle in Textiles is Governed by Fiber Hydrophobicity

“…An ideal solution would be to employ fibers or fiber coatings with low surface energy, like silicones and fluorocarbons, which are both hydrophobic and lipophobic ( 50 , 51 ). Such textiles have already been designed that exhibit good lipophobic and hydrophobic properties ( 52 , 53 ). It is expected that such textiles would also produce less bacterial malodor during sweating due to lower sebum absorption.…”

Engineered Nanoparticles with Decoupled Photocatalysis and Wettability for Membrane-Based Desalination and Separation of Oil-Saline Water Mixtures

“…Based on the contact angle (θ) for high (e.g., water) and low surface tension liquids (e.g., oil), a surface can be grouped into four wettability classifications: omniphobic (θ water > 90 • and θ oil > 90 • ), hydrophobic and oleophilic (θ water > 90 • and θ oil < 90 • ), hydrophilic and oleophobic (θ water < 90 • and θ oil > 90 • ), and omniphilic (θ water < 90 • and θ oil < 90 • ) [7,8]. We [9][10][11] and others [12][13][14] have demonstrated that a low surface energy coating, in conjunction with the surface texture, can result in a non-wetting Cassie-Baxter state with air trapped between the contacting liquid and the solid surface.…”

Durable Flame-Resistant and Ultra-Hydrophobic Aramid Fabrics via Plasma-Induced Graft Polymerization

“…High-performance textiles, including the exploration of multifunctional textiles that protect humans from environmental hazards and threats (chemicals, fire, water, oils, gases, and pollution, etc.) such as firefighter apparel, medical, and military garments, have a highly desirable quality standard [1,2]. Potential applications in various areas have made impressive efforts to develop new functionalization fibers and/or textiles that provide multiple mechanisms of protection with their intrinsic properties [3].…”