Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Crystallization Behavior and Membrane Structure Formation Via Thermally Induced Phase Separation with Benzophenone Diluent

Microporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were prepared by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) at different quenching temperatures with benzophenone as the diluent. The crystallization behavior and crystal structure of PVDF in PVDF/benzophenone systems were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The different PVDF concentrations had a remarkable effect on PVDF crystallization behavior and resulted in different membrane structures. Spherulitic structures were vague when the PVDF/benzophenone solution was quenched to ?8°C; however, discernable spherulitic structures were obtained when quenched to 34 and 49°C. Additionally, two phase separation mechanisms (solid–solid (S–S) and solid–liquid (S–L) phase separation) were observed during membrane preparation. It was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that microporous membranes had more discernable spherulitic structures formed by S–L phase separation than by S–S phase separation, which induced macrovoids and irregular pores on the fracture surfaces of membranes.     

Fabrication of superhydrophobic film by microcellular plastic foaming method

To solve the complicated manufacturing operation and the usage of toxic solvent problems, a simple and novel method to fabricate superhydrophobic film by surface foaming method was introduced in this paper. The superhydrophobic property of the foamed material was obtained at a contact angle >150° and a rolling angle about 8°. The foamed material can instantly generate its superhydrophobicity via peeling process. The effects of blowing agent content, foaming time and peeling rate on the foam structure and superhydrophobicity were studied.     

Superhydrophobicity of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane fabricated by chemical vapor deposition from solution

Due to the chemical stability and flexibility, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes are widely used as the topcoat of architectural membrane structures, roof materials of vehicle, tent fabrics, and so on. Further modified PVDF membrane with superhydrophobic property may be even superior as the coating layer surface. The lotus flower is always considered to be a sacred plant, which can protect itself against water, dirt, and dust. The superhydrophobic surface of lotus leaf is rough, showing the micro- and nanometer scale morphology. In this work, the microreliefs of lotus leaf were mimicked using PVDF membrane and the nanometer scale peaks on the top of the microreliefs were obtained by the method of chemical vapor deposition from solution. The surface morphology of PVDF membrane was investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). Elemental composition analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the material of the nanostructure of PVDF membrane was polymethylsiloxane. On the lotus-leaf-like PVDF membrane, the water contact angle and sliding angle were 155° and 4°, respectively, exhibiting superhydrophobic property.     

Forming mechanisms and wettability of double-scale structures fabricated by femtosecond laser

Constructing double-scale structures on material surface is helpful for achieving its superhydrophobicity. Therefore, it is quite necessary to investigate the forming mechanisms of double-scale structures on material surface. In the study, the forming mechanisms of various structures induced by femtosecond laser on the K9 glass surface are discussed, such as crater, ripples, and cones. The surface with double-scale structures is fabricated by femtosecond laser. On the surface, the apparent contact angle and sliding angle of a droplet are 152.3±1.5° and 4.6±0.8°, respectively. Lastly, through theoretical and experimental analyses, we demonstrate that the double-scale structures are effective for realizing superhydrophobicity of material surface and restricting the wetting transition from Cassie mode to Wenzel mode.     

Preparation of superhydrophobic membranes by electrospinning of fluorinated silane functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Fluorinated silane functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is synthesized by graft polymerization of 3-trimethoxylpropyl methylacrylate with PVDF followed by coupling of fluorinated silanes. Flat membrane prepared using this functionalized PVDF has a water contact angle of 140°. Superhydrophobic PVDF membrane with a contact angle larger than 150° is prepared by the electrospinning of the fluorinated silane functionalized PVDF. The morphologies of the membranes are characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The surface composition of the membranes is analyzed using FTIR and the contact angles and water drops on the surface of the membrane are measured using video microscopy.     

A simple method for the preparation of superhydrophobic PVDF-HMFS hybrid composite coatings

A superhydrophobic surface was obtained by embedding hydrophobically modified fumed silica (HMFS) particles in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The water contact angle (WCA) on the PVDF-HMFS hybrid composite coating is influenced by the content and nature of silica particles in the coating. As the silica concentration in PVDF matrix was increased from 33.3% to 71.4%, WCA increased from 117° to 168° and the sliding angle decreased from 90° to <1°. Surface topography of the coating was examined using scanning electron microscopy. An irregular rough surface structure composed of microcavities and nanofilaments was found to be responsible for the superhydrophobicity. The method is simple and cost-effective and can be used for preparing self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating on large areas of different substrates.     

两步法制备超疏水性ZnO纳米棒薄膜

采用两步法制备了超疏水性ZnO纳米棒薄膜,在用磁控溅射在普通玻璃衬底上生长一层ZnO籽晶层基础上,利用液相法制备了空间取向高度一致的ZnO纳米棒阵列,经修饰后由亲水性转变为超疏水性.用扫描电子显微镜观察了纳米棒的表面结构,用接触角测量仪测出水滴在ZnO纳米棒薄膜表面的接触角为151°±05°,滚动角为7°.用Cassie模型对ZnO纳米棒薄膜的超疏水性进行了验证. 关键词： ZnO纳米棒 超疏水 两步法     

Preparation and characterization of modified nano-porous PVDF membrane with high antifouling property using UV photo-grafting

In this study, the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane was prepared via immersion precipitation technique and modified by UV photo-grafting of hydrophilic monomers on the top membrane surface. Acrylic acid (AA) and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) as acrylic monomers and 2,4-phenylenediamine (PDA) and ethylene diamine (EDA) as amino monomers were used at different concentrations to modify the membrane and improve the hydrophilicity with less fouling tendency. Moreover the presence of benzophenon as photo-initiator for grafting the hydrophilic monomers onto PVDF membrane surface was elucidated. The virgin and modified PVDF membranes were characterized by contact angle, ATR-FTIR, SEM and cross-flow filtration. The contact angle measurements demonstrated that the hydrophilicities of the membranes were significantly enhanced by UV photo-grafting of hydrophilic monomers onto the membrane surface. The ATR-FTIR confirmed the occurrence of modification on PVDF membrane by UV photo-grafting. The pure water flux of membranes was declined by UV photo-grafting but the milk water permeation and protein rejection were slightly improved. Moreover the antifouling properties and flux recovery of PVDF membrane were improved by UV photo-grafting of hydrophilic monomers.     

Wettability,optical property of a superhydrophobic YAG film

A flame-like superhydrophobic yttrium aluminum garnet surface was obtained by a simple approach under ambient conditions. The influences of the concentration of curing agent and paraffin wax in course of the experiment were investigated. The as-prepared film shows superhydrophobicity which has a water contact angle of 158 ± 1.0°, and sliding angle of 4 ± 1.0°. Moreover, the water contact angle of the rough surface remained higher than 150°, after exposure for 10 days. Transmission electronic microscope, scanning electronic microscope, fluorescence spectrometer and atomic force microscope were also used to characterize the samples.     

Improving the hydrophilicity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) porous membranes by electron beam initiated surface grafting of AA/SSS binary monomers

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were pre-irradiated by electron beam in vacuum, and then the hydrophilic sulfonate groups were introduced by the single step grafting method with binary monomer solution of acrylic acid (AA) and sodium 4-styrenesulfonate (SSS). The effect of binary monomer ratio and pH of reaction solution on the degree of grafting was investigated. The surface chemical change was characterized by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR-ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphological changes on the membrane surface were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface hydrophilicity of the modified membrane was characterized through water contact angle measurement. It was found that the water contact angle of the membrane surface decreased significantly when compared with the original one, indicating the improvement of the surface hydrophilicity.