Surface modification of PP and PES non-wovens by using hybrid coatings

In our current study non-woven materials such as polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PES), used in filtration application, were modified in terms of surface properties by using hybrid coatings synthesised by using sol-gel method. The hybrid coatings consisted of organically modified silanes with fluorocarbon functionality in order to increase the hydrophobicity of the non-woven surfaces. Furthermore, superhydrophobic property was aimed to obtain by mixing silica (SiO2) nanoparticles into the coating matrix. Surface chemistry and topography of the coated specimens were characterised by using FTIR, AFM and SEM methods. The water contact angle measurements were used to detect the hydrophobicity. It was revealed that the hybrid coating with SiO2 nanoparticles increased the initial water contact angle from 117o up to 140o for PP and respectively from 87o up to 126o for PES non-woven