Superhydrophobic surface based on cross-linked polymer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prepare a superhydrophobic surface by coating poly(divinylbenzene-N-methacryloyl-amido-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester) [poly(DVB-MAPA)] cross-linked polymer onto a glass surface. N-methacryloyl-amido-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester (MAPA) and 1, 4-divinylbenzene (DVB) were used as a monomer and a cross-linker, respectively. The polymerization mixture was dispersed in 1, 4 butanediol (BDO) for phase separation and polymerized on the glass surface. The superhydrophobic surface was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle measurements. The effect of the composition of a polymerization mixture on hydrophobicity was investigated by varying the cross-linker to monomer mol ratio. Additionally, the influence of the composition of monomer/BDO mixtures was determined. The prepared poly(DVB-MAPA) surface showed a superhydrophobicity with a high water contact angle (WCA) of 162° and a low sliding angle (SA) of 7°. Moreover, the poly(DVB-MAPA) surface has a good chemical, thermal and daylight stability.