Formation of composite membranes containing hydrophobic polymer layers by electron-beam sputter deposition

Abstract

The chemical structure and the contact and morphological properties of composite membranes prepared by electron-beam sputter deposition of a polytetrafluoroethylene layer on the surface of track-etched polypropylene membrane have been studied. It has been found that the application of such layers results in bilayer composite membranes with both the layers having hydrophobic properties. It has been shown that an increase in the thickness of the deposited polytetrafluoroethylene layer leads to development of its roughness, resulting in the formation of a polymer with superhydrophobic properties on the surface of the initial membrane.