E-Thesis 6 views
Green Superhydrophobic Surfaces / HENRY APSEY
Swansea University Author: HENRY APSEY
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.68208
Abstract
This project aims to develop novel fluorine-free superhydrophobic (water-repelling) sur-faces, made from readily available non-toxic and economical branched low surface energy materials (LSEMs). These have important advantages over the existing LSEMs, including biodegradability, environmental accepta...
| Published: |
Swansea University, Wales, UK
2024
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Alexander, S., Barron, A. R., and Hill, D. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68208 |
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| Abstract: |
This project aims to develop novel fluorine-free superhydrophobic (water-repelling) sur-faces, made from readily available non-toxic and economical branched low surface energy materials (LSEMs). These have important advantages over the existing LSEMs, including biodegradability, environmental acceptance and are cheaper to mass produce compared with current superhydrophobic materials which are typically made using fluorocarbons.Fluorinated compounds have significant environmental risks due to bio-persistence and bio-accumulation, and are also extremely costly. The applications of low surface energy surfaces vary from protective or anti-adhesion coatings and anti-fouling, to environmental and biomedical applications. The research will focus on diverse areas from fundamental science to applications that rely on LSEMs. An overview will be discussed in Chapter 1. This thesis details the design and fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces through a variety of methods and demonstrates their potential in a range of real-life applications. The effects of materials, their synthesis and application to a range of surfaces have been explored in order to engineer optimal surface properties. Firstly, in Chapter 2 a range of metal oxide nanoparticles were functionalised using a range of carboxylic acids. These were further tested in various ratios and combinations. In Chapter 3 the chain length of siloxane films were explored to test the anti-fouling properties of a surface on glass and plastic. In Chapter 4 investigation into carbon based materials for their hydrophobic and electrical carrying properties. Finally, In Chapter 5 we investigated the design, application and testing of hydrophobic/hydrophilic coated 3D printed substrates for attraction and collection of water vapour for water collection. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. |
| Keywords: |
superhydrophobic, hydrophobic, coatings, surface, waterproof, colloids, metal oxide, silane, graphene oxide |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
EPSRC doctoral training grant, Salts Healthcare |