Preparation of lotus-like superhydrophobic fluoropolymer films

Styrene and 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate copolymers were synthesized by bulk polymerization, and the superhydrophobic copolymer films were prepared subsequently using phase separation technique. The copolymer was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, and then added ethanol into the solution thereafter, to induce phase separation. The microstructures of the polymer films were controlled by the degree of phase separation, which was enhanced properly by the concentration of ethanol. The surface morphology of the films, observed by environmental scanning electron microscope, is similar to that of the lotus leaf. The contact angle and sliding angle were measured as 154.3° and 5.8°, respectively. The excellent superhydrophobic property demonstrated that the phase separation technique is useful for preparing lotus-like fluoropolymer films.