Textile with Durable Janus Wetting Properties Produced by Plasma Polymerization

Abstract

The development of coating methods that enable us to combine antagonist properties on a single material is a real challenge. This active research topic can impact, for instance, the textile field to engineer fabrics with liquid-repellent properties on one side and superhydrophilic properties on the opposite side. In this context, we have developed an easy surface functionalization process that provides durable Janus wetting properties to fabrics. On the basis of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), we report a simple and reproducible three-step functionalization method that led to a coating with superhydrophobic and superoleophobic properties on one side of the porous substrate and superhydrophilic properties on the opposite side. A thin, fluorinated polymer film was deposited on one side, while the other side was functionalized with a polymer coating made of maleic anhydride, subsequently hydrolyzed to provide carboxylic acid groups to the surface. Static contact angles up to 169° with wate...