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F.L.A.S.H. The Formation and Characterization of Floating Self-Assembling Super-Hydrophobic Nano-Particle Membranes

Zoe Dubrow created floating, self-assembling super-hydrophobic membranes from hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles on water. The membranes were approximately one micron thick with 10-100nm pores. Droplets placed on the membrane rolled off with over 150 degree contact angle and vapor could pass through but liquid water did not. Chemical reactions across the membrane were possible using vapor phases. The membranes were self-repairing and their permeability depended on thickness, demonstrating potential applications for chemical sensing.

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Sarthak Shivhare
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93 views1 page

F.L.A.S.H. The Formation and Characterization of Floating Self-Assembling Super-Hydrophobic Nano-Particle Membranes

Zoe Dubrow created floating, self-assembling super-hydrophobic membranes from hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles on water. The membranes were approximately one micron thick with 10-100nm pores. Droplets placed on the membrane rolled off with over 150 degree contact angle and vapor could pass through but liquid water did not. Chemical reactions across the membrane were possible using vapor phases. The membranes were self-repairing and their permeability depended on thickness, demonstrating potential applications for chemical sensing.

Uploaded by

Sarthak Shivhare
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR

2009 PROJECT SUMMARY

Name(s) Project Number


Zoe E. Dubrow
S0506
Project Title
F.L.A.S.H.; The Formation and Characterization of Floating
Self-Assembling Super-hydrophobic Nano-particle Membranes
Abstract
Objectives/Goals
While working on traditional super-hydrophobic surfaces, a method to create self-assembling membranes
on the surface of water from hydrophobic fumed silica nano-particles was discovered. The purpose of this
project was to characterize the properties of the membranes and determine possible applications.
Methods/Materials
Properties of the membranes such as permeability, porosity, contact angle, inhibition of evaporation as
well as vapor phase reactions across the membrane were investigated.
Results
It was discovered that when hydrophobic fumed silica nano-particles are vigorously agitated in water,
they self-assemble at the air/water interface. The monolithic membrane that forms was determined to be
approximately one micron in thickness and had pores of 10-100nm in diameter. When a drop of water is
placed on the silica membrane, it exhibits a contact angle above 150 degrees and rolls. There is no liquid
water diffusion between drops on the surface of the membrane and the water below it. The vapor
permeability of the membranes were determined and found to be dependent on thickness. Vapor phase
chemical reactions were performed between the underlying aqueous layer and drops on the surface.
Conclusions/Discussion
A method for the creation of ultra-thin floating super-hydrophobic membranes through the agitation of
hydrophobic fumed silica particles in water was discovered. Super-hydrophobic membranes formed using
this method are self-assembling and self-repairing requiring no organic binders or special chemistry. The
membrane reduced the evaporation rate of water only about 10% when floating on its surface. Liquid
water does not migrate through the membrane despite its thin low density structure. It was demonstrated
that vapor phase chemical reactions can take place between a drop on the surface of the membrane and the
underlying liquid poolThe membranes have enough structural integrity to support a 5mm polystyrene ball
and can be removed from the water surface with a glass slide intact.
Applications of these membranes for chemical sensing are also discussed.

Summary Statement
Vapor permeable, super-hydrophobic, monolithic membranes were created in-situ on the surface of water
by the self-assembly of hydrophobic silica nano-particles and properties of the membranes were
investigated for use in applications.

Help Received
Jay Goldman operated the scanning electron microscope and gave his opinion on the membranes; Bob
Dubrow gave valuable advice; Nanosys Inc., Palo Alto Ca., for allowed use of their laboratories and
equipment.

Ap2/09

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