US 12,280,580 B2
Self-healing, hydrophobic composites and related methods
Yuehan Yao, Evanston, IL (US); Nicolas Martinez Prieto, Evanston, IL (US); Jian Cao, Wilmette, IL (US); Kyoo-Chul Park, Wilmette, IL (US); and Christian John Machado, Evanston, IL (US)
Assigned to Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Appl. No. 17/057,805
Filed by Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
PCT Filed May 23, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/033714
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 23, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/226877, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 28, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/675,925, filed on May 24, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0260848 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
Int. Cl. B32B 15/14 (2006.01); B32B 5/02 (2006.01); B32B 15/20 (2006.01); B32B 38/08 (2006.01)
CPC B32B 5/022 (2013.01) [B32B 15/14 (2013.01); B32B 15/20 (2013.01); B32B 38/08 (2013.01); B32B 2260/021 (2013.01); B32B 2260/04 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0238 (2013.01); B32B 2307/73 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of repelling water, the method comprising:
forming a layer of a self-healing, hydrophobic composite on a surface of a substrate to form a treated surface, the composite consisting of a porous network of entangled polymer fibers, the porous network defining pores between outer surfaces of the entangled polymer fibers, and a hydrophobic phase change material infused throughout the porous network and filling the pores to embed individual fibers of the entangled polymer fibers within the hydrophobic phase change material, wherein the layer consists of the entangled polymer fibers and the hydrophobic phase change material, and further wherein the hydrophobic phase change material consists of paraffin;
exposing the treated surface to water, wherein the treated surface exhibits a native water droplet contact angle which is greater than that of an untreated surface without the layer of the composite; and
wherein the method further comprises heating the layer to a temperature and for a period of time to melt the hydrophobic phase change material, followed by cooling the layer to solidify the hydrophobic phase change material and form a restored composite.