Preparation of a new superhydrophobic nanofiber film by electrospinning polystyrene mixed with ester modified silicone oil

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2014-09, Vol.131 (17), p.np-n/a
• Main Authors: Song, Yan, Wang, Lige, Wang, Xiuling, Bian, Kun, Yang, Qingbiao, Li, Yaoxian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electrospinning; ester modified silicone oil; Esters; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Materials science; Membranes; Nanostructure; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Silicones; Technology of polymers; Tensile strength
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.40718

ABSTRACT A new superhydrophobic nanofiber membrane with certain mechanical strength was prepared by electrospinning the polystyrene (PS) with ester modified silicone oil (EMSO). To increase the roughness and tensile strength, the EMSO with low energy as hydrophobic macromolecular substance was added into PS precursor solution. Then during the process of electrospinning, some of the ester modified silicone oil was distribution on the surface of substrate (PS) fiber films to generate double structure which leaded to the superhydrophobicity. We probed into the relationship between the surface wettability, morphologies, mechanical property, and the mass ratios of ester modified silicone oil /PS, and with the increasing of EMSO, the water CA value increased from 135 ± 0.5° to 152 ± 0.2°and the tensile strength grown from 0.23 MPa to 0.92 MPa. The film shows a network structure consisting of numerous randomly oriented fibers, the diameters of which changed from 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm belong to relatively big diameter fibers, which has great significance to the research of superhydrophobic membrane with big diameter fibers and also this method is easy, convenient and environment friendly. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40718.