Vacuum-assisted layer-by-layer superhydrophobic carbon nanotubes films with electrothermal and photothermal effects for deicing and controllable manipulation

Xiaojing  Su, Hongqiang Li,* Xuejun Lai, Zhipeng Yang, Zhonghua Chen, Wenjian Wu, Xingrong  Zeng*

Abstract:  The fabrication of functional superhydrophobic surfaces that combine various performances for the emerging application horizons such as deicing and self-propelled machines remains challenging. In the present work, a vacuum-assisted layer-by-layer superhydrophobic carbon nanotubes film integrating electrothermal effect with photothermal performance was fabricated by vacuum-assembling a multilayer of carboxylated and aminated multiwalled carbon nanotubes ((MWCNTs-COOH/MWCNTs-NH₂)_n), followed by transferring onto a desired substrate coated with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and modifying with n-octadecylamine (ODA) through amidation reaction. Taking filtration membrane as template, the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) film appeared micronano hierarchical roughness in support of superhydrophobicity with CA of 165^o. Importantly, the MWCNTs film also served as a functional heater under an applied voltage or different light sources. Utilizing electrothermal effect and water repellency, the superhydrophobic MWCNTs film was successfully applied in high-speed deicing. Additionally, combining the surface tension gradients generated by photothermal performance with reduced drag moving on water surface, the superhydrophobic MWCNTs film was propelled to move linearly, curvilinearly, and rotationally. The findings conceivably stand out as a new tool to fabricate functional superhydrophobic films with electrothermal and photothermal effects for various potential applications.

论文链接：http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C8TA05273E