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Hydrophobin as a Nanolayer Primer That Enables the Fluorinated Coating of Poorly Reactive Polymer Surfaces
Author(s) -
Gazzera Lara,
Corti Claudio,
Pirrie Lisa,
Paananen Arja,
Monfredini Alessandro,
Cavallo Gabriella,
Bettini Simona,
Giancane Gabriele,
Valli Ludovico,
Linder Markus B.,
Resnati Giuseppe,
Milani Roberto,
Metrangolo Pierangelo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201500170
Subject(s) - hydrophobin , materials science , polymer , surface modification , polystyrene , coating , primer (cosmetics) , polypropylene , aqueous solution , chemical engineering , surface energy , adhesion , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , gene , engineering
A new and simple method is presented to fluorinate the surfaces of poorly reactive hydrophobic polymers in a more environmentally friendly way using the protein hydrophobin (HFBII) as a nanosized primer layer. In particular, HFBII, via electrostatic interactions, enables the otherwise inefficient binding of a phosphate‐terminated perfluoropolyether onto polystyrene, polypropylene, and low‐density polyethylene surfaces. The binding between HFBII and the perfluoropolyether depends significantly on the environmental pH, reaching the maximum stability at pH 4. Upon treatment, the polymeric surfaces mostly retain their hydrophobic character but also acquire remarkable oil repellency, which is not observed in the absence of the protein primer. The functionalization proceeds rapidly and spontaneously at room temperature in aqueous solutions without requiring energy‐intensive procedures, such as plasma or irradiation treatments.