Improving the Mechanical, Thermoelectric Insulations, and Wettability Properties of Acrylic Polymers: Effect of Silica or Cement Nanoparticles Loading and Plasma Treatment

The acrylic polymer composites in this study are made up of various weight ratios of cement or silica nanoparticles (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) using the casting method. The effects of doping ratio/type on mechanical, dielectric, thermal, and hydrophobic properties were investigated. Acrylic polymer composites containing 5 wt% cement or silica nanoparticles had the lowest abrasion wear rates and the highest shore-D hardness and impact strength. The increase in the inclusion of cement or silica nanoparticles enhanced surface roughness, water contact angle (WCA), and thermal insulation. Acrylic/cement composites demonstrated higher mechanical, electrical, and thermal insulation properties than acrylic/silica composites because of their lower particle size and their low thermal/electrical conductivity. Furthermore, to improve the surface hydrophobic characteristics of acrylic composites, the surface was treated with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma jet. The DBD plasma jet treatment significantly enhanced the hydrophobicity of acrylic polymer composites. For example, the WCA of acrylic composites containing 5 wt% silica or cement nanoparticles increased from 35.3° to 55° and 44.7° to 73°, respectively, by plasma treatment performed at an Ar flow rate of 5 L/min and for an exposure interval of 25 s. The DBD plasma jet treatment is an excellent and inexpensive technique for improving the hydrophobic properties of acrylic polymer composites. These findings offer important perspectives on the development of materials coating for technical applications.