Journal of Nanomaterials
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 431426, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/431426

Research Article

Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Bamboo Based on ZnO Nanosheet Networks with Improved Water-, UV-, and Fire-Resistant Properties

Jingpeng Li, Qingfeng Sun, Qiufang Yao, Jin Wang, Shenjie Han, and Chunde Jin

School of Engineering, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China

Received 12 August 2014; Accepted 2 September 2014

Academic Editor: Ivan C. K. Tan

Copyright © 2015 Jingpeng Li et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Bamboo with water-resistant, UV-resistant, and fire-resistant properties was desirable in modern society. In this paper, the original bamboo was firstly treated with ZnO sol and then hydrothermally the ZnO nanosheet networks grow onto the bamboo surface and subsequently modified with fluoroalkyl silane (FAS-17). The FAS-17 treated bamboo substrate exhibited not only robust superhydrophobicity with a high contact angle of 161° but also stable repellency towards simulated acid rain (pH = 3) with a contact angle of 152°. Except for its robust superhydrophobicity, such a bamboo also presents superior water-resistant, UV-resistant, and fire-resistant properties.

1. Introduction

Bamboo is one of the most important nontimber forest products in the world [1, 2]. More than 1 billion people are living in bamboo houses, and the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people depend on this resource, making the bamboo increasingly be recognized as an environmental-friendly and cost-effective wood substitute [3]. As a fast-growing lignocelluloses material with high strength and surface hardness, easy machinability, and local availability, bamboo is widely used in the traditional applications, such as furniture, construction, pulping, and handcrafts [4–6]. However, when exposed in an outdoor environment, bamboo shows bad decay-resistance without protective treatment that would be attacked by fungi and insects and degraded caused by moisture, air, acid rain, and sunlight and thus shortens its service life and also reduces its value [7, 8]. To overcome this problem and enhance the economic value of bamboo products, it is necessary to develop a protective treatment for bamboo materials. In the previous studies, there were several approaches to improve water-repellency, fire-resistance, and UV-resistance of cellulose-based materials [9–14], for example, immersion-diffusion or vacuum-impregnation with preservatives, heating, dipping, soaking, brushing paint, and surface modification.

Among these, surface modification has been used to improve the ultraviolet stability of bamboo, change the surface energy of bamboo (reduce wetting by water and/or improve compatibility with coatings or matrix materials), and improve the bonding between bamboo surfaces and inorganic materials. In the past decade, the modifications by using of inorganic materials, such as ZnO, SiO₂, TiO₂, and CaCO₃ through sol-gel or hydrothermal synthesis have been devoted to reach this goal [15, 16]. Nowadays, as one of the most interesting multifunctional material, ZnO has a promising application in various fields of solar cells [17], displays [18], gas sensors [19], varistors [20], piezoelectric devices [21], photodiodes [22], UV light emitting devices, and a photostabilizer [23]. Thus, after surface modification, the bamboo-inorganic composites could be attached with photostability and antibacterial properties [16], and the coating of inorganic materials may also impart new properties such as superhydrophobicity, UV-resistance, and antimicrobial properties to the bamboo. In recent years, many researchers have reported the role of ZnO nanoparticles in exterior coatings to improve photostability, as a component of UV coatings for nanocomposites or modeling UV permeability of nano-ZnO filled coatings [24–26]. However, there are few reports on treating bamboo with nanomaterials or the effects of the nanomaterials on bamboo durability.

In the present study, the bamboo with multifunction of superhydrophobicity, UV-resistance, and fire-resistance was successfully fabricated by coating with ZnO nanosheet networks via a hydrothermal method and subsequent modification with FAS-17. The morphologies and chemical compositions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). Water contact angle (WCA) was employed to measure superhydrophobicity of the prepared bamboo surface and the repellency towards simulated acid rain. Meanwhile, the fire-resistance was also illustrated in the paper.

2. Experimental Section

2.1. Materials

All the chemicals were purchased from Shanghai Boyle Chemical Company Limited and were all of analytical reagent grade. Bamboo samples of 10 (Length) × 10 (Width) × 4 (Height) mm³ were cleaned with deionized water and ethanol before drying for use.

2.2. Preparation of ZnO Sol

The ZnO sol was prepared based on the method of Jung et al. [27] with some modifications. Zinc acetate dehydrate (0.75 M) was dissolved in ethanol at 60°C under vigorous stirring. Then the resulting solution was added slowly to a solution of monoethanolamine (MEA) with volume ratio of 1 : 1 and subsequently stirred at 60°C for 0.5 h. The ZnO sol was thus obtained.

2.3. Growth of ZnO Nanosheet Networks on the Bamboo Surface

Bamboo samples with ZnO seed layers were fabricated through a simple dip-coating process. Then the samples were dried at 80°C for 5 h. This process was repeated 5 times. The growth of ZnO nanosheet networks on the bamboo substrate was performed as follows: Equimolar aqueous solutions (0.05 M) of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and hexamethylenetetramine (C₆H₁₂N₄, HMTA) were prepared in a vessel under constant stirring, and, then, 0.04 M urea was added. The mixed solution was vigorously stirred for 30 minutes until it became clear and then the clear solution was transferred into a Teflon-lined autoclave. The treated bamboo substrates were then immersed in the above solution for 3 h at 90°C. Finally, the samples were rinsed with deionized water and dried at 80°C for 24 h. For comparative studies, the blank bamboo samples were also selected and the original bamboo was abbreviated as OB.

2.4. Surface Modification

The surface modification carried out by chemical vapor deposition of FAS-17 was illustrated in Figure 1. The ZnO nanosheet networks treated bamboo (hereafter abbreviated as ZNB) was placed in a sealed vessel with a smaller unsealed vessel within a small amount of FAS-17 on its bottom. The sealed vessel was then put in an oven and heated at 130°C to enable the silane groups of FAS-17 vapor to react with the hydroxide groups from ZNB. After 3 h, the bamboo substrate was removed to another clean sealed vessel and heated at 140°C for 1 h to volatilize the residual FAS-17 molecules onto the bamboo substrate. The original bamboo sample modified with FAS-17 was abbreviated as FB. The FAS-17/ZnO nanosheet networks treated bamboo sample was abbreviated as FZNB.

Figure 1: Schematic illustration of the surface modification on ZnO-coated bamboo surface.

2.5. Characterizations

Surface morphologies of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, FEI, Quanta 200). The surface chemical compositions of the samples were determined via energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS, Genesis, EDAX) connected with SEM. Crystalline structures of the samples were identified by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD, Rigaku, D/MAX 2200) operating with Cu Kα radiation (λ = 1.5418 Å) at a scan rate () of 4 min⁻¹, 40 Kv, 40 mA ranging from 5° to 80°. Water contact angle (WCA) was measured on an OCA40 contact angle system (Dataphysics, Germany) at room temperature. The final value of the WCA was obtained as an average of five measurements. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) were performed using a PE-TGA7 thermogravimetric analyzer (Perkin Elmer Company) and a DTA/9050311 high temperature differential analyzer. 10 mg of the samples were taken and measured in air and then treated in 150 mL/min of dry pure N₂ with temperatures at the rate of 10°C/min ranging from 20°C to 700°C.

2.6. Accelerated Aging Test

The weathering was performed with an Accelerated Weathering Tester (Q-Panel, Cleveland, OH, USA), which allowed water spray and condensation. The samples were fixed in stainless steel holders and then rotated under irradiation of fluorescent UV light at 60°C for 0.5 h, followed by water spraying for 0.5 h and condensation at 45°C for 3 h. The irradiation energy was 35 W/m² and the spray temperature 25°C. The exposure time ranged from 0 h to 120 h. The color of all samples was determined before and after UV irradiation at regular intervals with a portable spectrophotometer (NF-333, Nippon Denshoku Company, Japan) equipped with a CIE-LAB system. Here, the parameters represent , and lightness, which varies from 100 (white) to 0 (black) and chromaticity indices ( red, green, yellow, and blue).

The changes in , and were calculated according to (1), as follows:

where means the difference between the indicated initial and final parameters after UV irradiation. The overall color changes () were used to evaluate the total color change using (2). Consider

A lower value corresponds to a smaller color difference and indicates strong resistance to UV radiation. CIE-, and were measured at five locations on each sample, and the average values were calculated.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Characterization of ZnO Nanosheet Networks

SEM images were used to illustrate the morphology of OB and ZNB. As shown in Figure 2(a), the SEM image of OB showed smooth and clean surface. In Figure 2(b), the ZnO nanosheet networks appeared on the bamboo substrate and the bamboo surface became rougher in a result of coating with a dense film of ZnO nanostructured materials. In the magnified SEM image (Figure 2(c)), the ZnO nanosheet networks were slightly curved and the surface seemed to be uneven on a large scale. The average width and height for observation of the ZnO nanosheets was about 80 nm and 3 μm, respectively. The surface chemical elemental compositions of the ZNB were determined via EDS, and the results are presented as an insertion in Figure 2(b). Only carbon, oxygen, zinc, and gold elements could be detected from the EDS spectrum. Gold element was from the coating layer used for the EDS measurement and carbon element was originated from the bamboo substrates. No other elements were detected, confirming that the pure ZnO nanosheet networks were effectively formed on the bamboo surface. In Figure 2(d), the diffraction peaks at 16° and 22° represented the characteristic diffraction peaks of the cellulose from bamboo substrate [28, 29]. All others diffraction peaks could be indexed to the wurtzite ZnO (JCPDS card No. 36-1451). No other characteristic peaks were observed, indicating that pure wurtzite ZnO were formed on the bamboo surface after the hydrothermal process.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 2: SEM images of (a) OB and ZNB at low (b) and high (c) magnification. The inset of (b) was EDS spectrum of ZNB. (d) XRD patterns of OB and ZNB, respectively.

3.2. WCAs Test

With hydroxyl groups covering the surface, the OB was intrinsically hydrophilic and the water would fastly wet the surface, so WCAs were measured as soon as the water droplets contacted the samples surface. However, for the FB and FZNB, WCAs were achieved after contacted with the surfaces for 5 min. As shown in Figure 3, the WCA of OB was 12° for 5 μL water droplet, after modification with FAS-17, the FB became hydrophobicity with the WCA of 126°, and the FZNB was superhydrophobic with the WCA of 161°. As the results showed, both the surface energy and surface roughness deeply affected the degree of hydrophobicity of the surface, which was represented as water contact angle. The sliding angle of the FZNB was lower than 3°, indicating the water droplets could roll off the surface easily. Besides the excellent superhydrophobicity, FZNB exhibited stable repellency towards simulated acid rain (pH = 3) with a contact angle of 152° (Figure 3(d)). Thus, such an as-prepared surface would have the anticorrosion property against acid rain in the atmosphere environment.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 3: Shapes of water droplet on (a) OB, (b) FB, and (c) FZNB, respectively. (d) Shape of simulated acid rain (pH = 3) on FZNB.

A further understanding of the hydrophobicity of as-prepared samples could be obtained from the Cassie-Baxter equation, . was the apparent contact angle measured on the interested bamboo surface; (100°) was the water contact angle on fluoridated smooth surface [30]; and were the fractional areas estimated for the solid and air on the surface, respectively; that is, . Here, the CA value of FB was 126° () and the calculated using Cassie-Baxter equation was 0.49, which indicated that 51% of the surface was occupied by air. However, for FZNB (), the was 0.05, which indicated that about 95% of the surface was occupied by air. The surface allowed air to be trapped more easily underneath the water droplets, so that the water droplets essentially rested on a layer of air. Therefore, WCAs of the FZNB increased significantly.

Except for superhydrophobicity, the FZNB showed a low adhesion to water. The water droplet could hardly stick to the bamboo surface, allowing water droplets to roll off from one side of the surface freely (Figure 4(a)). As the descent height of the water droplet increased, it could bounce up from the bamboo surface without any deformation (Figure 4(b)). In addition, the WCA values of the as-prepared surfaces were constant after storage for more than six months under ambient conditions. These performances confirmed the stable superhydrophobicity of FZNB under ambient conditions.

(a)

(b)

Figure 4: The rolling process of a water droplet on the superhydrophobic bamboo surface.

3.3. Water Absorption Properties

Water absorption is one of the most important characteristics of bamboo exposed to environmental conditions that determines their ultimate applications. In this study, the water resistance of the OB, FB, and FZNB was investigated. The experiments were carried out by immersing as-prepared specimens in water for 130 h at room temperature, followed by measuring the moisture content (%) and WCA (°) of the as-prepared specimens. The moisture content of specimen was calculated by the following equation:

where the weight of dry specimen was obtained by drying bamboo specimen at 105°C until a constant weight was obtained.

As shown in Figure 5, it was found that the moisture content of the FZNB increased to 80% after the specimen was fully immersing in water for 24 h. After the specimen was fully immersing in water for 130 h, the moisture content of the FZNB was still around 80%, whereas the OB specimen and the FB specimen could absorb up to 180% and 200% water, respectively. After 24 h immersion, the moisture content of the FB was higher than that of the OB, which might due to the FAS-17 coated on the surface of OB be further hydrolyzed in water following the increasing time of immersion. It was also found that WCA of the FZNB maintained 152° after immersing in water for 130 h (Figure 5, inset), which demonstrated that the extremely high water resistance of the FZNB was obtained. The performance of the water resistance verified the FZNB would be a great potential for the applications in the environment with higher moist.

Figure 5: Moisture content of OB, FB, and FZNB, respectively. The inset was the WCA of FZNB after immersing in water to 130 h.

3.4. UV Resistance Study

The experimental results of color change upon UV irradiation were presented in Figure 6. Compared to OB, the value of the FZNB sample became positive, indicating that the light-colored bamboo turned white (Figure 6(a)). On the other hand, the value of the OB became negative, indicating that the light-colored bamboo turned black. The value of the OB and FZNB specimens indicated that the surfaces colors turned dark yellow and slight yellow, respectively, with prolonged UV irradiation time (Figure 6(b)). More importantly, the value of the OB under UV irradiation indicated that the surface color turned a deeper shade of red with increasing UV irradiation. The of the FZNB sample showed a similar trend; however, the change in the FZNB was much smaller than that of OB (Figure 6(c)). The total color change () of OB was significant (Figure 6(d)), whereas for the FZNB was very slight. These results showed that FZNB exhibited an excellent UV resistance and prevented bamboo surface from damage.

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(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 6: Color data of CIE-, and and measurements of OB and CZNB samples, respectively.

3.5. Thermal Stability

The results of the TG-DTA analysis were shown in Figure 7. According to the TG curve (Figure 7(a)), there was a small weight loss at about 50–80°C due to the loss of physically adsorbed water, which come from the ambient environment [31]. The three stages of the thermal degradation of the OB were clearly visible. At stage one (190–250°C), the pyrolysis rate was low with the weight loss of approximately 13%, which is mainly due to the partial degradation of hemicellulose [32]. Stage two (250–400°C) was mainly caused by cellulose degradation, accompanied with continuous degradation of lignin, whose maximum pyrolysis rate occurred at 375°C and the weight loss reached 68% [33]. At stage three (400–700°C), all the components of bamboo degraded gradually leading to aromatization and carbonization. Lignin was the most difficult one to decompose. Its decomposition happened slowly and kept on along the whole calcining process [34, 35]. At last, carbon residues with the weight of 8.9% were left, as observed from the TG curve (Figure 7(a)). For the ZNB and FZNB specimens, the TG curve exhibited the weight losses at about 170–240°C, which were caused by the decomposition of the residual organics and MEA [36, 37]. And the DTA curve (Figure 7(b)) presented strong and sharp endothermic peaks at a minimum of 356°C for ZNB and 347°C for CZNB, respectively, corresponding to the weight losses shown in the TG curve (Figure 7(a)). Due to the decomposition of cellulose and lignin, the maximum degradation rates of the ZNB and FZNB became lower than of the OB. This might be due to the catalysis of ZnO, which generated an accelerated pyrolysis action on bamboo components. Moreover, the maximum degradation rate of the FZNB was the lowest (Figure 7(b)), which might be due to the decomposition of FAS-17 (a barrier effectively protected for the ZNB). Computable weight loss along the whole process was about 91.1% for OB, 78.3% for ZNB, and 73.2% for FZNB, respectively.

(a)

(b)

Figure 7: TG-DTA curves of OB, ZNB, and FZNB, respectively.

3.6. Fire-Resistant Properties

In order to describe a realistic fire scenario, it was important to test the ignitability of the OB and FZNB samples in the presence of a flame spread. Interestingly, the as-prepared FZNB sample exhibited excellent fire-resistance when exposed to the flame of the alcohol burner. A significant difference could be observed in Figure 8 where some typical pictures of the specimens after the flammability test were collected. When heated with the alcohol burner, the OB caught on fire at 3 s and was incinerated to ash in 101 s. Being burned for 24 s, the OB sample had a massive blaze. In the following 34 s, the strong flames gradually diminished, but the fire was still spreading. By contrast, the FZNB caught on fire at 16 s, implying that the FAS-17/ZnO films were capable of protecting the bamboo from the flame. Being burned for 46 s, there were no flames standing on the treated bamboo sample. Furthermore, the flames gradually quenched by itself in the following 2 s. After burning out, black char was left. Apparently, the treated bamboo samples were more suitable for functional materials and building materials.

Figure 8: Digital photos of OB and FZNB burned at different times, respectively (the as-prepared samples firstly were all heated in an alcohol burner for 12 s).

4. Conclusions

In this paper, bamboo with multifunction involved in water-resistant, UV-resistant, and fire-resistant properties was successfully fabricated by ZnO nanosheet networks deposition, followed by a fluorination treatment. The treated bamboo substrate exhibited not only robust superhydrophobicity but also stable repellency towards simulated acid rain (pH = 3). Furthermore, the treated bamboo presented excellent water-resistant and UV-resistant properties and also exhibited superior fire-resistant property.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

The work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31470586) and Pre-research Project of Research Center of Biomass Resource Utilization, Zhejiang A & F University (2013SWZ01-03).

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