Superhydrophobic polymer fabrication

• US 8,455,084 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seoul National University Research & Development Business Foundation
• Original Assignee: Seoul National University Research & Development Business Foundation
• Inventors: Lee, Jin-Kyu, Lee, Yuwon, Ju, Kuk-Youn
• Primary Examiner(s): Crispino, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Royston, Elizabeth
• Application Number:
  US12/985,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20110097534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 264/319, 428/156, 428/172, 428/332, 428/338, 428/339, 428/141, 216/83
• US Class Current: 428/141
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 17/06 by giving articles subject to fouling a special shape or arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 17/065 the surface having a microscopic surface pattern to achieve the same effect as a lotus flower
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2059/023 Microembossing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/022 characterised by the disposition or the configuration, e.g. dimensions, of the embossments or the shaping tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/04 using rollers or endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23921 With particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24479 including variation in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249939 Two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/268 Monolayer with structurally defined element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/269 including synthetic resin or polymer layer or component

Abstract

A superhydrophobic polymer fabrication is provided. According to one method for preparing a superhydrophobic polymer fabrication, the superhydrophobic polymer fabrication can be fabricated quickly and easily, and the superhydrophobic surface can be repeatedly imprinted using a template, so that mass production of the superhydrophobic polymer fabrication over a large area can be economically implemented.

Claims

1. A superhydrophobic polymer fabrication comprising:

a micron-sized terrace structure on a surface of the polymer fabrication, wherein the terrace structure comprises amorphous fragments irregularly distributed on the surface of the polymer fabrication; and

a nano-sized fiber structure formed on the terrace structure,

wherein the micron-sized terrace structure and the nano-sized fiber structure provide the superhydrophobic properties at the surface of the polymer fabrication, and

wherein said surface of the polymer fabrication is a polymer.

2. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.

3. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyalkylene, a vinyl polymer, a polyamide, a polyacetal, a polyacrylate, a polycarbonate, a polystyrene, a polyurethane, acrylonitril-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a halogenated polyalkylene, a polyarylene oxide, and a polyarylene sulfide.

4. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 3, wherein the polymer is a polyester.

5. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 3, wherein the polymer is a polyalkylene.

6. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 5, wherein the polymer is high density polyethylene (HDPE).

17. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 1, wherein the surface has a static contact angle of about 150°

or more.

18. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 17, wherein the surface has a contact angle hysteresis of about 5°

or less.

7. A kit comprising:

a first superhydrophobic polymer fabrication comprising a first surface; and

a second superhydrophobic polymer fabrication comprising a second surface,

wherein the first and second surfaces have the same replicated structure comprising;

a micron-sized terrace structure on a surface of the polymer fabrication, wherein the terrace structure comprises amorphous fragments irregularly distributed on the surface; and

a nano-sized fiber structure formed on the terrace structure,

wherein the micron-sized terrace structure and the nano-sized fiber structure provide the superhydrophobic properties at the surface of the polymer fabrication, and

wherein said first surface of the first polymer fabrication is a polymer and said second surface of the second polymer fabrication is a polymer.

8. The kit according to claim 7, wherein said replicated structure is obtained from a metal template prepared by chemical etching.

9. The kit according to claim 8, wherein the kit is obtained by a method comprising:

applying heat and pressure to the first surface contacting said template to form the micron-sized terrace structure and the nano-sized fiber structure on the terrace structure; and

applying heat and pressure to the second surface contacting said template to form the micron-sized terrace structure and the nano-sized fiber structure on the terrace structure.

10. The kit according to claim 7, wherein the first and second surfaces have a static contact angle of about 150°

or more.

11. A superhydrophobic polymer fabrication comprising a micron-sized terrace structure formed on the surface of the polymer fabrication wherein the terrace structure comprises amorphous fragments irregularly distributed on the surface of the polymer fabrication and a nano-sized fiber structure formed on the terrace structure wherein the micron-sized terrace structure and the nano-sized fiber structure provide the superhydrophobic properties at the surface of the polymer fabrication, wherein said polymer fabrication is obtained by the method comprising:

applying heat and pressure to a surface of a polymer contacting a template to form the micron-sized terrace structure wherein the terrace structure comprises amorphous fragments irregularly distributed on the surface of the polymer fabrication and the nano-sized fiber structure on the terrace structure; and

removing the replicated polymer fabrication from the template.

12. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 11, wherein said surface has a static contact angle of about 150°

or more.

13. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 11, wherein said polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.

14. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 11, wherein said template is metal.

15. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 14, wherein said template is formed by chemical etching.

16. The superhydrophobic polymer fabrication of claim 15, wherein the chemical etching is performed for a time ranging from 1 second to 10 minutes.