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Enhancement of the hydrophobicity of recycled polystyrene films using a spin coating unit
Author(s) -
PatiñoHerrera Rosalba,
CatarinoCenteno R.,
GonzálezAlatorre Guillermo,
Gama Goicochea Armando,
Pérez Elías
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.45365
Subject(s) - polystyrene , materials science , contact angle , coating , polymer , methacrylate , surface finish , surface roughness , deposition (geology) , spin coating , chemical engineering , biofouling , composite material , polymer chemistry , copolymer , chemistry , paleontology , biochemistry , sediment , membrane , engineering , biology
This article describes a technique for recycling polystyrene cups (PS r ) mixed with poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) to produce PS r /PBMA films and subsequently PS r films by removing PBMA with a selective solvent (acetic acid), with the benefit of a reduction in environmental pollution generated by polystyrene waste. Removal of PBMA increases roughness, which generates a significant increase ( ∼ 34°) in the water contact angle, reaching its highest value at 128°. By increasing the hydrophobicity of surfaces, properties with important technical applications are acquired such as those used in antifouling paints, stain‐resistant surfaces, and surfaces that avoid the formation and accretion of ice on microelectronic devices. Roughness of PS r /PBMA films is significantly affected by the concentration of both polymers and by the spin rate, reaching its highest value at 2% PS r and 3% PBMA at 2000 r p m . For optimal film deposition, a cheap spin coating unit was designed and built, with a price less than 4% of that of a commercially available spin coating unit. Lastly, it was found that the data obtained with our spin coating unit is described by the Meyerhofer model with accuracy of 88% ± 3%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45365.