Fabrication of superhydrophobic paper surface via wax mixture coating

Nowadays researches endeavour to prepare superhydrophobic paper surface without using fluorderivates which are harmful to both environments and humans. This research aimed at building microstructure using green-based waxes to prepare superhydrophobic paper surface. There were two main processes. First, wax mixture (beeswax/carnauba wax) was emulsified and coated on paper surface. Then the coated paper was annealed at various temperatures. The surface energy of wax mixture increased slightly as the weight ratio of carnauba wax increased. The further heat treatment rendered wax coated paper from hydrophobic or superhydrophobic to Lotus state, because submicrometer structure was produced on the base of micrometer spherical wax particles. The wax coating layer also showed good transparency and stability properties. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.