Mechanochemical preparation of core-shell structured hydrophobic UHMWPE-onion-like carbon composites

Hydrophobic composites are prepared from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) and onion-like carbon (OLC), employing a solvent-free mechanochemical process consisting of milling at 250 rpm for 60 min. The encapsulation of OLC on the surface of UHMWPE microspheres increased with the increasing composition of OLC from 0.5 to 5 wt.%, thereby mimicking the core-shell structure. The consolidated composite with 5 wt.% of OLC exhibited a higher water contact angle (WCA) of about 111.18 degrees, compared to pure UHMWPE (94.80 degrees). (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Hydrophobic composites are prepared by encapsulating onion-like carbon on the surface of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene using a solvent-free mechanochemical process, resulting in increased water contact angle.