Hydrophobin-stabilized dispersions of PVDF nanoparticles in water

In this study, aqueous dispersions of partially crystalline PVDF nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained employing hydrophobin (HFB), an amphiphilic film-forming protein able to film hydrophobic surfaces. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis of PVDF-HFBII aqueous dispersions confirmed the HPBII ability to film PVDF hydrophobic NPs. Freeze-dried PVDF-HFBII bio-nanocomposites were shown to be effectively re-dispersible in water. An aqueous dispersion of PVDF NPs may have an impact on the applications of this polymer in the perspective of the development of environmentally friendly coating methods. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.