Facile generation of robust POSS-based superhydrophobic fabrics via thiol-ene click chemistry

Robust polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-based superhydrophobic fabrics were successfully generated by surface modification of fibers with mercapto silanes followed by click coupling with methacryl-heptaisobutyl POSS (MAPOSS). MAPOSS grafted onto the fabric surfaces not only increased the surface roughness but also lowered the surface energy of fabric, resulting in superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 159 degrees and a sliding angle of 7 degrees. Importantly, the as-prepared superhydrophobic cotton fabric is tolerant to corrosive liquids, UV irradiation, high temperature environment, ultrasonic washing and mechanical abrasion. And the as-prepared superhydrophobic fabric could be used as an adsorbent material for removing oil from water. In addition, MAPOSS could be easily grafted onto other porous substrates (including but not limited to polyester fabrics, filter papers and melamine sponges) to endow these materials with high hydrophobicity. Therefore, this facile, environmentally friendly, low cost and versatile method offers great technological promise in the preparation of robust superhydrophobic coatings on a large scale.