The Effects of Zinc Oxide/Silicon Dioxide Composite Coating on Surface Wettability and the Mechanical Properties of Paper Mulching Film.

In order to improve the hydrophobic and mechanical properties of paper mulch film, ZnO/SiO₂ composite coated paper mulch film was prepared with a brush coating method. Hydrophobicity and durability of the original paper mulch film and the coated paper mulch film were measured by static contact angle and mechanical torsion tests, and the mechanical properties of the two kinds of paper mulch films were measured by tensile and tear tests at different temperatures. The two kinds of paper mulch films were characterized by their micro-morphology and surface element distribution. The results show that the contact angle of the ZnO/SiO₂ composite coated paper mulch film reaches 161.46°, and the contact angle can still reach 153.15° after 80 mechanical torsion cycles, which shows good superhydrophobic and hydrophobic durability. Compared with the original paper mulch film, the mechanical properties of the coated paper mulch film are also improved to some extent. Combined with the surface micro-morphology, it is found that a ZnO/SiO₂ composite coating fills the pores between fibers in the paper mulch film and promotes the adhesion between fibers, thus improving the hydrophobicity, durability, and mechanical properties of the paper mulch film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]