Superhydrophobic surface fabricated by modifying silica coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites

A superhydrophobic surface with maximum static water contact angle of 156 degrees and sliding angle of 3.5 degrees was fabricated by modifying the silica coated multiwalled carbon nanotube composites (SiO2/MWCNTs) using a silane coupling agent vinyltriethoxysilane. The structures of SiO2/MWCNTs and superhydrophobic surface were investigated by infrared spectrometer and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that silica had been successfully grafted onto MWCNTs and the SiO2/MWCNTs had been chemical modified by vinyl triethoxy successfully. The morphology of our prepared superhydrophobic surface, investigated by scanning electron microscopy, showed a characteristic rough structure. The effects of pH value and exposure time on the stability of the superhydrophobic surface were also investigated. The superhydrophobic film shows reliable acid and alkali resistance and aging resistance, indicating that it will have a wide range of applications.