Multifunctional Highly Oleophobic and Superhydrophilic Fabric Coatings Prepared by Facile Photopolymerization

In this work, a facile approach through UV polymerization is developed for the preparation of highly oleophobic and superhydrophilic coating on polyester fabric by using short-fluorochain acrylate (1 H ,1 H ,2 H ,2 H -tridecafluoro- n -octyl acrylate) together with hydrophilic monomer and crosslinker. The coated fabric has an oil contact angle of ≈146° for hexadecane and >150° for many other oils including cooking oil and engine oil. A water drop can completely spread on the fabric within 68 ms. As a result, oil drops on the fabric surface can be easily lifted off by immersion in water. Because of its selective wettability to water, the coated fabric can also be used for oil–water filtration or water absorption from bulk oil. It is further demonstrated that the coated fabric has good hygroscopic and antistatic properties. Fabrics with these functions may find applications including oil–water separation and especially functional clothing for which the oil repellency and easy oil removal are essential while the water repellency is less important. Antistatic properties as shown by this material, are also demanded, in areas such as work clothing for auto repair and oil industries.