The Superhydrophobic State Stability of Coatings Based on Copolymers of Glycidyl Methacrylate and Alkyl Methacrylates on Cotton Fabric Surface

We suggest a simple and reproducible strategy for fabricating durable superhydrophobic coatings on the basis of series of functional random copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and glycidyl methacrylate on cotton fabric surface. The procedure consists of the fabric treatment by solutions of copolymers in methylethylketone and following heating at 140 degrees C. The initial contact angles of obtained coatings on fabric surface achieve 165 degrees. The dependence of superhydrophobic properties of coatings based on copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate and alkyl (meth)acrylates (with alkyl radicals C-4-C-18 in side chains) attached to the cotton fabric surface was studied. The comparative analysis of superhydrophobic state stability of polymer coatings during long-term contacts with aggressive media is presented. We evaluated the contact angles stability as a function of prolonged contact of polymer coatings with water under saturated vapor conditions, organic solvents, and synthetic detergents. Polymeric coatings based on a copolymer of lauryl methacrylate (C-12) and glycidyl methacrylate provide better stability of superhydrophobic properties compared with other copolymers of alkyl methacrylates.