title: A flexible nanofiber-based membrane with superhydrophobic pinning properties.
abstract: A nanofiber-based TiO2(B)/carbon nanofiber membrane has been synthesized by a facile and effective route that incorporates electrospinning approach with hydrothermal method. The prepared membrane shows high flexibility and hydrophilicity. After treatment with a low surface energy fluorosilane, the obtained superhydrophobic surface endows the membrane a high adhesive force due to the hybrid microstructure of TiO2(B) nanotubes and nanoplates on fibers. A water droplet on the surface of the membrane appears spherical in shape, which cannot roll off even when the membrane is bent and turned upside down. When a water droplet dropped from a certain height above the tilt membrane, the rolled water droplet can be stopped after a small displacement. In addition, a 12 μl water droplet can be quickly captured from a hydrophobic surface by curvature change of the superhydrophobic TiO2(B)/carbon nanofiber membrane. The membrane with excellent static and dynamic pinning performance to water may be expected to apply to biomedical and microfluidic devices.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China. Electronic address: Huluyang@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Luyang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China.
authors.forename: Shanmei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environment, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Yumin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China.
authors.forename: Benxia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014867:Water; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Flexible TiO(2)(B)/carbon nanofiber membrane; Nanostructure; Superhydrophobic surface; Wetting