Hydrophobic performance of electrospun fibers functionalized with TiO₂ nanoparticles

The development of materials with hydrophobic properties has been widely explored in areas such as textiles, healthcare, sports, and personal protective equipment. Hydrophobic that arise from nanoparticles (nPs) directly promote other valuable properties, including self-cleaning capabilities, decreased bacterial growth, increased comfort. In this study, biodegradable poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers were functionalized by the incorporation titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nPs to develop water-repellent materials. membranes produced through electrospinning, variables polymer concentration, nP needle diameter optimized achieve PCL/TiO composite fibers capabilities. characterized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, atomic force microscopy, electron transmission water contact angle (WCA). general, it was observed presented higher roughness values when TiO present result promoted WCA values. highest value (156°) obtained for nanofiber mat 20% weight-to-volume (w/v) PCL 0.6% .