Control of the Sorption Properties and Wettability of a Nonwoven Polypropylene Material by Direct Gas Fluorination

The effect of direct gas fluorination on the surface properties of a nonwoven polypropylene material was studied. Direct gas fluorination with mixtures of different compositions allows directional variation of the surface properties of the nonwoven polypropylene material. The surface becomes more hydrophobic when using a mixture of fluorine and nitrogen but less hydrophobic when using a mixture of fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen. The modification leads to changes in the chemical composition of the surface and in the roughness of the material. The nonwoven polypropylene materials thus obtained exhibit increased sorption capacity for spent oil or water, respectively. Variation of the properties of the nonwoven polypropylene material allows expansion of its applications.