title: Ultra lightweight PMMA-based composite plates with robust super-hydrophobic surfaces.
abstract: Extremely lightweight plates made of an engineered PMMA-based composite material loaded with hollow glass micro-sized spheres, nano-sized silica particles and aluminum hydroxide prismatic micro-flakes were realized by cast molding. Their interesting bulk mechanical properties were combined to properly tailored surface topography compatible with the achievement of a superhydrophobic behavior after the deposition of a specifically designed hydrophobic coating. With this aim, we synthesized two different species of fluoromethacrylic polymers functionalized with methoxysilane anchoring groups to be covalently grafted onto the surface protruding inorganic fillers. By modulating the feed composition of the reacting monomers, it was possible to combine the hydrophobic character of the polymer with an high adhesion strength to the substrate and hence to maximize both the water contact angle (up to 157°) and the durability of the easy-to-clean effect (up to 2000 h long outdoor exposure).
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies (CBN) of Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Arnesano, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pareo
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: De Gregorio
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manca
authors.forename: Maria Savina
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pianesi
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Marco
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mari
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pappadà
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciccarella
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gigli
mesh_terms: D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008970:Molecular Weight; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate