Controlling the micro/nano structure of self-cleaning polymer coating

Polypropylene bio-mimic self-cleaning surfaces with porous micro-nano-binary morphology structures were prepared by a simple casting method. The influence of the cooling process and solvent composition on water contact angle, sliding angles and self-cleaning properties has been investigated. Detailed SEM morphology studies revealed that the polymer used in this work is commercial-grade granular low-density polyethylene (LDPE) forms petal-like crystalline, which are of micrometer scale in length and nanometer scale in thickness. The nanocrystallines on the surface represent a porous three-dimensional micro-nano-binary structure. It was found that a compromise to the film porosity and crystal nano structure is essential for achieving a satisfied self-cleaning surface. Under optimum condition, a water contact angle of 152.2 degrees, and a sliding angle of 1.7 degrees can be obtained using this simple method. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.