Fabrication of stable superhydrophobic coating on fabric with mechanical durability, UV resistance and high oil-water separation efficiency

A durable and stable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) - copper stearate (CuSA2) superhydrophobic coating has been fabricated on cotton fabric by a simple in-situ growth and dip-coating method. The surface morphology, roughness and composition of the superhydrophobic coating were analyzed by SEM, 3D optical profiler and FT-IR, respectively. The prepared cotton fabric (C-fabric) showed good superhydrophobicity (WCA ~ 158°) and a satisfactory chemical stability against strong acidic/alkali solution and various solvents. The C-fabric retained superhydrophobicity with WCA above 150° after 24 h ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, 10 times of mechanical abrasion and 12 h ultra-sonication treatment. The obtained C-fabric also possessed anti-fouling property for various common household liquids (coke, juice, tea, ink, coffee and milk) with CA above 144°. Furthermore, the C-fabric can be applied to the separation of oil/water mixture with separation efficiency of more than 96%.