Effect of MWNTs on hydrophobic properties of PVDF microfilters

چکیده مقاله

The hydrophobicity of a surface can be enhanced by chemical modification that can lower the surface energy or by the introduction of proper surface roughness. PVDF is a commercially available fluoropolymer with low surface energy and good physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. CNTs with remarkable mechanical and electronic properties, due to their close relationship to graphite, were applied to improve the hydrophobic properties of PVDF-based membranes. Neat PVDF and MWNT/PVDF membranes were prepared by solution casting method. The morphologies and the hydrophobicity of the membranes were characterized using SEM and contact angel analyses, respectively. The SEM results showed appropriate distribution of MWNT nanoparticles in the composite membrane. Contact angles, and subsequently the membrane hydrophobicities, increased with MWNT content into the polymeric matrix.