Super-Hydrophobic Cotton Fabric Prepared Using Nanoparticles and Molecular Vapor Deposition Methods

Cotton fabric was functionalized with nanoparticles vapor deposition (NVD) of Al2O3 followed by molecular vapor deposition (MVD) of (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyl)-trichlorosilane (FOTS). The nanoparticles deposition increased the surface roughness, leading to higher contact angles. The morphology of the treated surfaces was observed with scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of the functionalized surfaces showed the presence of peaks corresponding to C-F, CF2, Al-O, and O-Al-O. Dynamic water contact angles were measured in order to assess the hydrophobic properties of the functionalized surface. Dynamic contact angles higher than 150 degrees were obtained for water. In addition, samples treated with nanoparticles and FOTS layer showed low hysteresis when measuring advancing and receding contact angles. (C) 2012 American Chemical Society