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Dry Oxidation and Vacuum Annealing Treatments for Tuning the Wetting Properties of Carbon Nanotube Arrays
Published on: April 15, 2013
Single-walled carbon nanotube pillars: a superhydrophobic surface
Liang Zhang1, Daniel E Resasco
1School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA. lyon17@ou.edu
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 4, 2009
Summary
Researchers created various single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) arrays, finding that increased surface roughness enhances hydrophobicity. Novel SWNT pillars achieved superhydrophobicity with a 160-degree contact angle.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) offer unique properties for surface engineering.
- Controlling SWNT arrangement is key to tailoring surface characteristics like wettability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct diverse SWNT arrays.
- To investigate the relationship between SWNT array structure, surface roughness, and water contact angle.
- To develop superhydrophobic SWNT surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SWNT arrays (thin films, networks, aligned structures, and pillars) via disproportionation of carbon monoxide on Co-Mo catalysts.
- Fabrication of SWNT pillars using templated substrates.
- Measurement of static water contact angles on different SWNT surfaces.
- Application of Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter models to analyze surface roughness effects.
Main Results:
- Contact angle significantly varied with SWNT array type.
- Higher nano/microscale surface roughness correlated with increased contact angle.
- Novel SWNT pillars demonstrated superhydrophobicity, achieving a contact angle of approximately 160 degrees.
Conclusions:
- Surface roughness is a critical factor in achieving superhydrophobicity in SWNT structures.
- The Cassie-Baxter model effectively describes wetting behavior on 3D SWNT arrays.
- Engineered SWNT surfaces, particularly pillars, show potential for superhydrophobic applications.
