Study of Superhydrophobic Electrospun Nanocomposite Fibers for Energy Systems

Abstract

Polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibers incorporated into TiO(2) nanoparticles and graphene nanoflakes were fabricated by an electrospinning technique, and then the surface morphology and superhydrophobicity of these electrospun nanocomposite fibers were investigated. Results indicated that the water contact angle of the nanocomposite fiber surfaces increases to 178° on the basis of the fiber diameter, material type, nanoscale inclusion, heat treatment, and surface porosity/roughness. This is a result of the formation of the Cassie-Baxter state in the fibers via the nanoparticle decoration, bead formation, and surface energy of the nanofiber surface. Consequently, these superhydrophobic nanocomposite fibers can be utilized in designing photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as self-cleaning and anti-icing materials for the long-term efficiency of the cells.

Influence of crystallinity and fiber orientation on hydrophobicity and biological response of poly(l-lactide) electrospun mats

“…WAC as high as 178º were obtained with electrospun polystyrene or poly(vinyl chloride) incorporating nanoparticles that modify fibril surface roughness [36], or WAC above 140º in poly(vinylidene fluoride) containing silica nanoparticles [37]. On the other hand the air retention at the surface also contribute to water repellency, an increase of the stiffness has been shown to favor air retention at the surface, too [38].…”

Hierarchically Structured Electrospun Fibers

“…The loading of the nanoparticles and resulting surface roughness was found to be critical in generating a superhydrophobic surface [181]. Asmatulu et al incorporated Ti0 2 and graphene nanoparticles into PS and polyvinyl chloride nanofibers in order to generate self-cleaning photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells [182]. Wen et al incorporated SiO 2 nanoparticles into Si0 2 fibers.…”

The superhydrophobicity of polymer surfaces: Recent developments

“…Asmatulu et al, 36 for example, used polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibers and showed that the repellence depended upon the diameter of the fibers. Earlier studies demonstrated the effectiveness of allowing the fibers to partially retract or adding particles, forming structures they called ''strings of beads.''…”