Papers with nanoscaled surface roughness and hydrophobically modification have been widely used in daily life. However, the relatively complex preparation process, high costs and harmful compounds have largely limited their applications. This research aims to fabricate superhydrophobic papers with low cost and nontoxic materials. The surface of cellulose fibers was initially coated with a film of SiO2 nanoparticles via sol-gel process. After papermaking and subsequent modification with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane through a simple solution-immersion process, the paper showed excellent superhydrophobic properties, with water contact angles (WCA) larger than 150°. Moreover, the prepared paper also showed superior mechanical durability against 10 times of deformation. The whole preparation process was carried out in a mild environment, with no intricate instruments or toxic chemicals, which has the potential of large-scale industrial production and application.
Keywords: cellulose fibre; composite materials; self-cleaning; superhydrophobic paper.