Superhydrophobic cotton fabric and oil-water separation based on KH570 modified SiO2 and fluorinated epoxy polymer

The application potential of superhydrophobic coatings is inherently constrained by their stability, durability, and apparent color characteristics. To address these limitations, a thin superhydrophobic coating was prepared on the surface of cotton fabric, featuring a micron mastoid structure with distinct fiber boundaries. This coating is achieved through the grafting of polymer poly (trifluoroethyl methacrylate-random-glycyl methacrylate) and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate modified SiO 2 nanoparticles onto the fabric surface. The chemical composition, thermal stability and micro/nano structure of the coating were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The superhydrophobic coating not only exhibits exceptional oil-water separation capabilities, achieving a remarkable separation efficiency of 98%, but also ensures high reusability, enduring up to 10 consecutive oil-water separation cycles without significant performance degradation. Furthermore, the coating manifests mechanical stability and durability, maintaining its superhydrophobic nature even after undergoing rigorous mechanical abrasion, immersion in acidic and alkaline solutions, as well as exposure to elevated temperatures. In addition, an in-depth analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of this superhydrophobic modification on the inherent characteristics of cotton fabric, specifically its color, whiteness, and gloss. The findings reveal that the hue of the cotton fabric remains unaltered, while a marginal enhancement in whiteness and a slight reduction in gloss are observed post-modification, indicating small impact on the inherent characteristics of cotton fabric.