Conversion of hydrophilic SiOC nanofibrous membrane to robust hydrophobic materials by introducing palladium

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 425; pp. 750 - 757
• Main Authors: Wu, Nan, Wan, Lynn Yuqin, Wang, Yingde, Ko, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2017
• Subjects: Ceramic nanofiber; Electrospinning; Hydrophobicity; Polycarbosilane; Separation; Silicon oxycarbide; Electrospinning; Polycarbosilane; Silicon oxycarbide; Separation; Hydrophobicity; Ceramic nanofiber
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.07.098

[Display omitted] •An inherently hydrophobic ceramic nanofiber membrane without any surface modification was fabricated.•Trace amounts of palladium was introduced to adjust the surface composition for hydrophobicity.•The flexible SiOC-xPd displayed outstanding thermal stability, chemical resistance and high water adhesive character. Hydrophobic ceramic nanofibrous membranes have wide applications in the fields of high-temperature filters, oil/water separators, catalyst supports and membrane reactors, for their water repellency property, self-cleaning capability, good environmental stability and long life span. In this work, we fabricated an inherently hydrophobic ceramic nanofiber membrane without any surface modification through pyrolysis of electrospun polycarbosilane nanofibers. The hydrophobicity was introduced by the hierarchical microstructure formed on the surface of the nanofibers and the special surface composition by the addition of trace amounts of palladium. Furthermore, the flexible ceramic mats demonstrated robust chemical resistance properties with consistent hydrophobicity over the entire pH value range and effective water-in-oil emulsion separation performance. Interestingly, a highly cohesive force was found between water droplet and the ceramic membranes, suggesting their great potentials in micro-liquid transportation. This work provides a new route for adjusting the composition of ceramic surface and flexible, recyclable and multifunctional ceramic fibrous membranes for utilization in harsh environments.