Study on simple preparation technique of superhydrophobic cotton fabrics

In order to prepare superhydrophobic cotton fabrics,alkylchlorosilanes were used and deposited on the cotton fabric by chemical vapor deposition,to form on the surface of the fabric a low surface energy material—polymethylsiloxane with rough microstructure,which,in combination with the tortuous structure inherent in the fabric,made the cotton fabric have superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties.SEM,contact angle tester,and dust collecting test were used to examine the surface morphology and superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties of the cotton fabric.The results showed that when the volume ratio of methyltrichlorosilane(MTS) to dimethyldichlorosilane(DDS) was 5∶1,total volume of DDS and MTS was 8-10 mL,deposition time was 120 min,the contact angle of the cotton fabric was 152.3°,and the sliding angle was 2.7°.Self-cleaning tests showed that the cotton fabric has excellent self-cleaning properties.This approach is simple and inexpensive and does not require expensive equipment.