Durable superhydrophobic and oleophobic cotton fabric based on the grafting of fluorinated POSS through silane coupling and thiol-ene click reaction

Fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (F-POSS) has been widely used for preparing liquid-repellent coatings. It is usually pre-synthesized and dispersed in expensive fluoro-solvent (or fluorosurfactant solution) for dip coating. Since the melting temperature of F-POSS is not high (122-140 degrees C), its loss during use is inevitable. However, reports on the grafting of F-POSS on substrate are rare. In this work, we report the fabrication of superhydrophobic and oleophobic cotton fabrics through the silane coupling of (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetradecyl) trimethoxysilane (FAS) and 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPTES) on cotton fiber and the subsequent UV-induced thiol-ene click reaction between octavinyloctasilasesquioxane (OVPOSS) and MPTES thiols (and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorododecyl-1-thiol, PFDT). The as-prepared FAS/SH-F-POSS cotton fabric showed superhydrophobicity and high oleophobicity, as well as good durability and self-healing ability. It can withstand at least 15 accelerated washing cycles, 2000 abrasion cycles over sandpaper, 10 cycles of O2 plasma etching, acid/ alkaline/salt solution corrosion, and 25 cycles of UV aging/moist erosion. Such a durable superhydrophobic and oleophobic cotton fabric is useful for functional clothing and textile products in various fields.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the fabrication of superhydrophobic and oleophobic cotton fabrics using silane coupling and thiol-ene click reaction. The resulting fabric shows excellent durability and self-healing ability, withstanding various harsh conditions. Such durable fabric can be used for functional clothing and textiles in different fields.