Solution Spraying of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Blends to Fabricate Micro-textured, Superoleophobic Surfaces (PREPRINT)

Abstract

We describe a simple technique to prepare superhydrophobic and superoleophobic micro-textured surfaces by spray coating a blend of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and the low surface energy molecule 1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (fluorodecyl POSS, gamma(sv) approximately equal to 10 mN/m) using an air brush with a pressurized nitrogen stream. Scanning electron micrographs show the formation of micro-textured surfaces possessing re-entrant curvature; a critical feature for obtaining liquid repellency with low surface tension liquids. The surface morphology can be tuned systematically from a corpuscular or spherical microstructure to a beads-on-string structure and finally to bundled fibers by controlling the solution concentration and molecular weight of the sprayed polymer. The oleophobicity of the resulting structures is characterized by advancing and receding contact angle measurements with liquids of a range of surface tensions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA545436

Entities

People

  • Gareth McKinley
  • Joseph M Mabry
  • Robert E. Cohen
  • Shreerang S. Chhatre
  • Siddarth Srinivasan

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alkanes
  • Alkenes
  • Coatings
  • Energy
  • Fiber Spinning
  • Fibers
  • Geometry
  • Hydrophobic Properties
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Molecular Weight
  • Oleophobic Properties
  • Spray Forming
  • Surface Energy
  • Surface Tension

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Surface Coatings Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics