Controlled fabrication of non-fluoro polymer composite film with hierarchically nano structured fibers

Hierarchically nano structured composite fibers were fabricated and characterized. The fibers composed of expanded polystyrene foam (EPF) embedded with varying graphite content were spray coated onto glass substrate. The FESEM and AFM images indicate well dispersed graphite and formation of thin nano fibers, which exhibited water contact angle of 151. Diameter of a single fiber was noted to be similar to 500 nm. The uniqueness of the present method is use of fluorine free raw materials, environment benign solvents and feasibility of applying over large surfaces. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.