Durable Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings with Tunable Adhesion and Hydrophobicity

1. Durable Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings with Tunable Adhesion and Hydrophobicity M. K. Tiwari,1 I. S. Bayer,2 T. M. Schutzius,1 A. Das,1 C. M. Megaridis1 1University of Illinois at Chicago, 2University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Polymer nanocomposite coatings with functional particle fillers in a polymer matrix used to control micro/nanostructure and wetting properties ranging from partially hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. • Manipulate adhesion of such coatings to increase durability. • Controlled microstructure surfaces are most commonly prepared by lithographic techniques, which make them unsuitable for large-area applications. Target here is to investigate a scalable technique for large-area coatings. Nanocompositesuperhydrophobicsurface • Solution-blend poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with poly-merizedcyanoacylates (CA) . • Combine features of PVDF (exceptional thermal, mechanical and chemical barrier; electrical properties) with superior adhesion of CA . • Functional micro/nanoparticle fillers impart additional properties like surface energy, microstructure control and improved durability under mechanical stress or thermal, radiative (UV) exposure. • Developed novel methods to control CA polymerization. CA demonstrated as a biodegradable alternative to commonly used poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) for improving filler dispersion and adhesion of PVDF. • Coating microstructure and surface energy ranging from partially hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. • Some coatings also show medically important alcohol repellency. • Coatings prepared by scalable techniques (spraying, etc). • Publication • I.S. Bayer, M.K. Tiwari, C.M. Megaridis, Applied Physics Letters 93, 173902, 2008. Performance (under mechanical stress) of PVDF/CA nanocomposites containing different percentages of ZnOnanoparticles[1].