Evolution of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hierarchical morphology during slow gelation process and its superhydrophobicity

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2013 Jun 26;5(12):5430-5. doi: 10.1021/am401412a. Epub 2013 Jun 12.

Abstract

In the paper, we proposed an evolution process of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) macromolecular aggregation in a mixed solvent through the simple and slow gelation process at room temperature. The mixed solvent is prepared with a room-temperature solvent and a high-temperature solvent. The evolution process can be terminated by quenching and exchanging with nonsolvent in a nonsolvent coagulation bath properly, and then the vivid petal-like nanostructure and microspherulite is formed simultaneously. This hierarchical morphology endows PVDF with superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties, which is useful to PVDF coating and membrane materials. The evolution processes are investigated through the measurements of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, the rheological properties of solution, dry gel and wet gel, are explored.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Gels / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry*
  • Rheology
  • Temperature
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Gels
  • Polyvinyls
  • polyvinylidene fluoride