Robust multifunctional superhydrophobic fabric with UV induced reversible wettability, photocatalytic self-cleaning property, and oil-water separation via thiol-ene click chemistry

Abstract Robust superhydrophobic fabric (SF) was successfully achieved by surface modification with anatase TiO2 sol and mercapto silanes, subsequently followed by hydrophobization with perfluorooctyl methacrylate (PFOMA) via thiol-ene click reaction. The resultant SFs not only exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 157.7° and a water shedding angle of 4°, but also showed the considerable photocatalytic activity by the degradation of oil red O under UV irradiation. Moreover, the SFs exhibited a wetting transition from a superhydrophobic state to a superhydrophilic state by the alternation of UV exposure and thermal treatment. The SF could be utilized to separate oil-water mixture owing to its superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. Importantly, the SFs were tolerant towards strong acidic or alkaline environments, corrosive organic solvents, laundering, and mechanical abrasion. In addition, this facile preparation process could impart the superhydrophobicity to other substrates (such as PET fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and sponges). Therefore, superhydrophobic materials with multi-functionality of UV induced reversible wettability, photocatalytic self-cleaning property, and oil-water separation are regarded as promising candidates for a wide range of applications.