Fabrication of Amphiphobic Paper with Improved Mechanical Strength

Hanyang Li, Zhenguan Tang, Lu Jiang, Victor Breedveld and Dennis W. Hess
Cellulose-based paper products are widely used in commercial areas such as writing, reading and packaging. Compared with synthetic materials, paper is inexpensive, globally available and more environmental friendly. However, applications of paper are severely limited because of the hydrophilic and oleophilic properties of cellulose. Previous research within our group (1) showed that the contact angle on paper depends on the diameter and separation distance of fibers. Furthermore, it is known that rinsing wet fiber mats with organic solvents can inhibit hydrogen bonding between cellulosic fibers (2). Our group has previously fabricated superamphiphobic paper (1). However, the mechanical strength of this paper was compromised due to inhibition of hydrogen bonding. The purpose of my studies is to increase the mechanical strength of paper while maintaining amphiphobic properties. Specifically, fibers were refined for 7500 revolutions with a PFI mill to reduce the fiber diameters. In order to increase the separation distance of fibers, ethanol, which is a less polar solvent than water, was used in the final rinse during the
paper-making process. In order to increase the roughness and decrease the surface energy, the paper was treated to a 60-minute oxygen plasma etch followed by a 2-minute fluoropolymer deposition. These paper samples were not wet by either water or motor oil with contact angles
above 150ã??for both fluids, while the hexadecane contact angle was above 120o. The morphology and topology of amphiphobic paper samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and profilometry, respectively.
1. Li, Lester, Victor Breedveld, and Dennis W. Hess. "Design and Fabrication of Superamphiphobic
Paper Surfaces." ACS applied materials & interfaces 5.11 (2013): 5381-5386.
2. Mantanis, G. I., R. A. Young, and R. M. Rowell. "Swelling of compressed cellulose fiber webs in organic liquids." Cellulose 2.1 (1995): 1-22.