title: Tuning surface properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) melt blown fibers by alkaline hydrolysis and fluorination.
abstract: The wetting properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) melt blown fibers were tuned by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent fluorination. Fiber mats were exposed to a NaOH methanol solution for controlled periods of time at several temperatures, resulting in surface hydrolysis (h-PBT). Subsequent simple solution chemistry was applied to the h-PBT fibers, leading to fluorination of the surface (f-PBT) and the transformation of the wetting properties of the material. Electron microscopy revealed that hydrolysis leads to a textured surface that is retained in the fluorinated product. Sessile drop wetting measurements demonstrated superhydrophilicity for the h-PBT fiber mats and sticky superhydrophobicity with the f-PBT fiber mat.
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
authors: Zaifei
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Christopher W
authors: CW
authors: Macosko
authors: Frank S
authors: FS
authors: Bates