Facile Single-Step Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Carbon Nanotube Films on Different Porous Supports

Abstract

Superhydrophobic carbon nanotube (CNT) films have attracted extensive research attention because of the superior CNT properties that have a significant impact on the mass/energy transfer at the CNT/liquid interface. Until now, most reported methods for producing superhydrophobic CNT films require multiple steps, making the fabrication process very complicated and time-consuming, and may deteriorate the CNT intrinsic properties. In this study, superhydrophobic CNT films composed of short CNT strands were fabricated through a single-step chemical vapor deposition method on various types of supports, including hollow fiber and disc supports. Attributed to its firm structure, this durable superhydrophobic film could withstand water invasion and show promising stability and renewability during a 4-week wettability test. Benefiting from the preservation of CNT properties without post modifications, the film exhibited excellent chemical robustness to corrosive liquids from pH = 0-14. In addition, the application of the superhydrophobicity was demonstrated for effective oil/water separation.