Investigating bio-based solvents as a sustainable alternative in the formulation and fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces

Abstract

Organic solvents can be highly toxic to humans, causing damage to the tissues and toxin metabolizing systems. Petroleum-based solvents (such as n-hexane) are likely to trigger endocrine disruption in humans regularly exposed to them. Given this, there is still a high demand for petroleum-based solvents, as they can be used to fabricate materials for various high-performance products. In addition, extensive environmental damage is also caused by petroleum-based solvents. This biological and environmental harm has been the main cause of the demand for sustainable and cost-effective development of environmentally non-hazardous solvent systems. An area targeted to achieve this is bio-based solvent alternatives. In this report, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), a bio-based solvent, is explored as an alternative solvent in the development of superhydrophobic surfaces, replacing n-hexane. This model system explores the factors considered when exploring the implementation of bio-based solvents in the development of highly advanced materials. In this research, both 2-MeTHF/n-hexane are used in the formulation/deposition of superhydrophobic polymer–nanoparticle composites (SPNCs). SPNCs developed using 2-MeTHF have water repelling functionality like those developed using n-hexane, while also demonstrating performance enhancements. Overall, this solvent exchange is aimed to serve as an example of what can be achieved in similar systems to enhance the sustainability of chemical processes that require organic solvents.