Superhydrophobic and Highly Oleophilic Polystyrene Fibers (PS) with Delayed Freezing Time and Effective Oil Adsorption

Abstract

We present an efficient and simple approach for preparing superhydrophobic-superoleophilic polystyrene (PS) fibers via electrospinning. Bead-on-string fibers from a 5% PS solution and micro-sized fibers from a 20% PS solution were combined to achieve a surface having very high contact angle (about 160°) and low contact angle hysteresis. The presence of bead-on-string fibers increases the superhydrophobicity of the sorbent. The micro-sized PS fibers improve the mechanical properties of the electrospun mat through their elastic and flexible behavior. An evaluation of wettability at a low temperature (-10 oC) showed a delayed freezing time for water droplets on the superhydrophobic surface. Water droplets on a polished aluminum surface froze more quickly (about 6 seconds) than droplets on the fabricated superhydrophobic surface (about 500 seconds). Finally, the oil adsorption capacity of the developed superhydrophobic PS fibers, which have a porous surface structure, showed values of 69.1, 69.3 and 61.2 g/g for canola oil, olive oil and motor oil, respectively.