Jinlong Zha1, Nicolas Batisse2, Daniel Claves3, Marc Dubois4. 1. Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR 6296, Sigma Clermont, ICCF, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: zhajl@buaa.edu.cn. 2. Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR 6296, Sigma Clermont, ICCF, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: nicolas.batisse@uca.fr. 3. Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR 6296, Sigma Clermont, ICCF, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: daniel.claves@uca.fr. 4. Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR 6296, Sigma Clermont, ICCF, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: marc.dubois@uca.fr.
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: Development of a process yielding large-sized non-wettable coatings of immediate applicative interest seems feasible by associating a membrane spining technique with the artificial mimic of a bio-inspired strategy toward water repellency. Accordingly, the question that arises is how to design a multiscale textured and chemically-activated continuous film. EXPERIMENTS: A novel synergic combination of a processing technique and chemical treatment was developed in this purpose. Fluorinated nanocarbons were included in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) microfibers via their addition in a precursor solution for electrospinning. The nanocomposites thus obtained were subsequently treated under gaseous molecular fluorine in mild conditions. FINDINGS: Owing to the reactivity of PVP with F2, both etching and functionalization occurred during such a post-treatment. The chemical modification undergone by PVP upon fluorination has been analyzed and a mechanistic approach proposed. An impressive dual texturing developed at the micro- and nanoscale thanks to the combined action of electrospinning, polymer etching and emergence of the nanofillers. This allowed a stable with time superhydrophobic coating-like film to be achieved.
HYPOTHESIS: Development of a process yielding large-sized non-wettable coatings of immediate applicative interest seems feasible by associating a membrane spining technique with the artificial mimic of a bio-inspired strategy toward water repellency. Accordingly, the question that arises is how to design a multiscale textured and chemically-activated continuous film. EXPERIMENTS: A novel synergic combination of a processing technique and chemical treatment was developed in this purpose. Fluorinated nanocarbons were included in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) microfibers via their addition in a precursor solution for electrospinning. The nanocomposites thus obtained were subsequently treated under gaseous molecular fluorine in mild conditions. FINDINGS: Owing to the reactivity of PVP with F2, both etching and functionalization occurred during such a post-treatment. The chemical modification undergone by PVP upon fluorination has been analyzed and a mechanistic approach proposed. An impressive dual texturing developed at the micro- and nanoscale thanks to the combined action of electrospinning, polymer etching and emergence of the nanofillers. This allowed a stable with time superhydrophobic coating-like film to be achieved.