Preparation of thermo-responsive superhydrophobic TiO2/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microspheres

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 258; no. 24; pp. 9505 - 9509
• Main Authors: Chen, Hao, Pan, Shuaijun, Xiong, Yuzi, Peng, Chang, Pang, Xiangzhong, Li, Ling, Xiong, Yuanqin, Xu, Weijian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Core–shell structure; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Droplets; Dynamic tests; Exact sciences and technology; Microspheres; Physics; Radicals; Scanning electron microscopy; Sol gel process; Superhydrophobic; Surface properties; Switches; Thermo-responsive; Titanium dioxide; Thermo-responsive; Core–shell structure; Superhydrophobic; Microspheres; Inorganic compounds; Preparation; Transition element compounds; Core-shell structure; Titanium oxide
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.04.096

► The thermo-responsive superhydrophobic microspheres are obtained via a process that combines sol-gel method and ATRP. ► The reversible switch between hydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity of TiO2/PNIPAM composites is rapid and significant. ► The as-prepared composites offer us an opportunity to develop cost-effective smart materials. Here we reported a facile method that combined sol–gel and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to prepare thermo-responsive superhydrophobic TiO2/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microspheres with core–shell structure. The surface coated with microspheres show hydrophilic properties (CA=90.5±2.3°) at 27°C, it changes to superhydrophobicity (CA=150.2±2.3°) while the temperature rises up to 42°C. This performance is attributed to lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phenomenon of Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide). Five cycle measurements of water droplet reversible switch between hydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity were demonstrated temperature-responsive surface property. The changes were rapid and significant. The as-prepared particles have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, FT-IR analysis, and dynamic light scattering.