Fabrication and characterization of superhydrophobic high opacity paper with titanium dioxide nanoparticles

A new type of paper with superhydrophobic surface was prepared by addition of modified nano-TiO2 to cellulose pulp. Nano-TiO2 powder was first dispersed with a high-speed homogenizer, followed by surface modification with the coupling agent, 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPS). The superhydrophobic and opaque paper was obtained by adding the modified nano-TiO2 to plant fiber to change its characteristics from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The effects of the initial content of the coupling agent MPS used, on the weight percentage of MPS attached on the surface of nano-TiO2 were studied. The obtained paper was characterized by contact angle measurements and SEM. The results showed that the water contact angles for the modified paper ranged from 126.5 to 154.2°, and the sliding angle was <3°. Moreover, many well-dispersed nano-TiO2 protuberances were observed on the surface of the paper, which further confirmed that the obtained paper was superhydrophobic on account of its nanostructure. Comparative optical studies performed on the paper handsheets revealed a much higher opacity for the sample with the MPS-modified-TiO2 nanoparticles.