Fluorine-free Superhydrophobic Stearic Acid Modified Kaolin Nanoparticles for Self-cleaning Silicone Rubber Surface

Khoirussolih Aminuddinan; Nor Aini Ijaman; Ahmad Faez Abdul Khalil; Mohd Haiqal Abd Aziz; Aliff Hisyam A Razak; Mohd Ridhwan Adam

doi:10.11113/mjfas.v20n3.3456

Authors

Khoirussolih Aminuddinan Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Pagoh Higher Education Hub,84600, Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
Nor Aini Ijaman Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Pagoh Higher Education Hub,84600, Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
Ahmad Faez Abdul Khalil Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Pagoh Higher Education Hub,84600, Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
Mohd Haiqal Abd Aziz Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Pagoh Higher Education Hub,84600, Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
Aliff Hisyam A Razak Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Pagoh Higher Education Hub,84600, Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
Mohd Ridhwan Adam School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v20n3.3456

Keywords:

Superhydrophobic, Fluorine-free, Nanoparticle modification, Self-cleaning surfaces, Kaolin-stearic acid composite

Abstract

This study introduces fluorine-free nanoparticles to innovate superhydrophobic surfaces for self-cleaning applications, addressing environmental concerns linked to fluorine-based compounds. The method involves modifying kaolin nanoparticles with stearic acid and integrating them into silicone. The surface of stearic acid-kaolin nanoparticles exhibits a contact angle of 149.4° ± 3.3, while the resulting composite film exhibits a contact angle of 113.9° ± 5.8. The surface roughness of the silicone rubber surfaces increases proportionally with higher concentrations of stearic acid-modified kaolin nanoparticles. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis demonstrates the successful coverage of kaolin nanoparticles-stearic acid on resulting film. Self-cleaning performance is evaluated by simulating the deposition of graphite powder onto the surfaces and subsequently observing the behaviour when water is dropped on them revealing their remarkable self-cleaning properties.

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