A simple method to prepare miniature quartz fiber boats with superhydrophobicity

• Published in: Applied surface science 2012-01, Vol.258 (6), p.2038-2042
• Main Authors: Jiang, Z.X., Cheng, X.Q., Li, J., Qiu, W.J., Guan, S.A., Dong, W., Ma, Z.Y., Huang, Y.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bearing strength; Boats; Bundles; Cloth; Fibers; Loading capacity; Mathematical analysis; Miniature; Miniature boat; Quartz; Quartz fiber bundle; Superhydrophobic surface
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.04.108

► A novel quartz fiber with superhydrophobic property was prepared by the combination of rough surfaces and low surface energy material treatment. ► The quartz fiber boats can not only float freely on a water surface but also exhibit large loading capacities, and the highest loading weight, 10.19g, is achieved. ► The striking loading capacities of these boats are attributed to the air trapped around the fiber surface. According to the reformed Cassie–Baxter equation, a superhydrophobic quartz fiber bundle boat was fabricated from mimicking the lotus leaf venation using chemical surface modifications and roughness introductions. Water contact angles as high as 165.8° were achieved for quartz fiber cloths. The loading capacities of the miniature boats made from the superhydrophobic quartz fiber bundles were measured. The highest loading weight, 10.19g, was obtained by the boats with 2.0mm spacing distance between fiber bundles. The striking loading capacities were believed to stem from the air film surrounding the superhydrophobic surfaces of the boats. The results of this study presented new applications of artificial hydrophobic surfaces in areas of aquatic devices.