Superhydrophobic behavior of lauryl methacrylate copolymers on the cotton fabric surface

Abstract

The authors propose to use glycidyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate copolymers to provide the cotton fabric surface with superhydrophobic properties. The modification was carried out by immersion of cotton fabric in solutions of copolymers in methylethylketone and following heat treatment at 140°C. Stability of the superhydrophobic state of polymer coatings is studied during long-term contact with droplets of water and aqueous acidic, alkaline and salt solutions under saturated vapor conditions. Under the conditions of high humidity and absence of contact with the external environment, a low drop evaporation rate is ensured, which allows to trace the long-term change of the contact angle of the sessile drop. The mechanism of stability of superhydrophobic properties is discussed. Polymer coatings that are based on the glycidyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate block copolymer provide better stability of superhydrophobic properties compared with the random copolymer. It is shown that modification of the cotton fabric surface by glycidyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate copolymers does not affect its vapor permeability.