Highly thermally resistant, hydrophobic poly(vinyl alcohol)–silica hybrid nanofibers

Abstract

In this paper, the preparation of hydrophobic and crosslinked poly­(vinyl alcohol)/silica organic–inorganic hybrid nanofibers via the sol–gel elec­trospinning method is reported. Silica was produced through the acetic acid catalyzed reaction of a silica precursor consisting of dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMDMOS), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS1313; Dynasylan® F 8261) and phenyltrimethoxy­sil­ane (PTMS; Dynasylan® 9165) in a 2-propanol–water mixture. Hybrid nano­fibers were obtained by electrospinning the silica precursor and an aqueous PVA sol­ution. Chemical, structural, thermal and surface analyses were con­ducted by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) and water contact angle (WCA) methods, respectively. The obtained hybrid nanofibers were ins­ol­uble in aqueous solution. SEM images displayed that highly cross-linked and porous structures were obtained and the average fiber diameters of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/silica nanocomposites were around 70 nm. A nano­fiber surface with a water contact angle of 130° was achieved.