Novel fabrication of hydrophobic poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) paper with superior tear strength and high dielectric breakdown strength

Abstract

Complicated manufacture of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) paper limits its wider application. In this study, the facile gelation process was proposed to fabricate PPTA paper by injecting spontaneous-gelling low molecular weight PPTA (LMW-PPTA) solution onto the surface of non-woven PPTA fabric composed of chopped PPTA fibers. Subsequently, the PPTA papers and hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) doped PPTA paper were eventually obtained by gelation, washing and pressing. The mechanical properties, electric insulation property and hydrophobicity of PPTA papers were apparently affected by the ratio of chopped PPTA fibers to LMW-PPTA polymers and the content of PVDF in the paper. Significantly, the facile-process and low-cost composite PPTA papers were proved with high tear strength, preeminent dielectric breakdown strength, great thermal stability and superior hydrophobicity, which shed light on a promising direction for developing high-performance insulating materials and honeycomb materials.