Fluoropolymer adhered bioinspired hydrophobic, chemically durable cotton fabric for dense liquid removal and self-cleaning application

Hydrophobic cotton fabric with a very high contact angle and low sliding angle hysteresis was prepared using a single-pot coating solution containing fluorosurfactant (FS 61) and fluoro-monomer (octafluoropentylacrylate, OFPA). In this study, fluorine-based acrylate ester monomer was polymerized on cotton fabric by admicellar polymerization to make the cotton surface profoundly rough and, furthermore, very hydrophobic with high contact angle value, 144 +/- 2(o). The surface morphology was determined using electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Modified washing durable hydrophobic cotton fabric provides an innovative and novel pathway for the practical application of self-cleaning textiles and dense solvent removal. It had excellent stability against daily household used liquids and even in a hazardous condition.

Automated summary

The hydrophobic cotton fabric prepared in this study using a single-pot coating solution containing fluorosurfactant and fluoro-monomer displayed high contact angle and low sliding angle hysteresis, with excellent stability against daily household liquids and hazardous conditions. The surface morphology was determined through electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and the modified fabric provides an innovative pathway for practical applications in self-cleaning textiles and solvent removal.