Super‐“Amphiphobic” Aligned Carbon Nanotube Films

Abstract

Fluoroalkylsilane treatment of super‐hydrophobic, aligned carbon nanotube films (see electron micrograph) prepared by pyrolysis of metal phthalocyanines results in the films having both super‐hydrophobic and super‐lipophobic properties, namely they are super‐“amphiphobic” surfaces.

Recent developments in polymeric superoleophobic surfaces

“…in which f is the fraction of the solid/liquid interface, while (1 À f) is that of the air/liquid interface, indicates that, when a rough surface, which possesses nano structures 30 or micro/nano hierarchical structures, 33 comes into contact with liquid, air may be trapped in the rough area. The trapped air layer will contribute greatly to repel the liquid.…”

“…[25][26][27] However, superoleophobic surfaces are difficult to achieve due to the low surface tension of organic liquids (Table 1). [28][29][30][31][32] Superoleophobic surfaces are of great significance not only for fundamental research but also for various economically important applications in oil-repellent coatings, marine antifouling, antioil treatment of oil pipelines, and antibioadhesion. These demands emphasize the need for more research on superoleophobic surfaces.…”

“…From then on, the study of superoleophobicity aroused with broad interest. In 2001 and 2004, our group reported nanostructured aligned carbon nanotube (ACNT) films 30 and micro/nano hierarchically structured polymer surfaces 33 with excellent superoleophobicity, respectively. Those studies revealed the significance of nanostructures and micro/nano hierarchical structures for constructing superoleophobic surfaces.…”

Superhydrophobic Carbon Nanotube Forests

“…Our observation may appear contradictory with experiments on tall carbon nanotubes grown off a substrate where superhydrophobicity has been observed. 18,19 Thus, we investigated taller (10-15 µm) nanotube forests, and these surfaces in the as-grown state did give an initial water contact angle of 161°. However, the droplets are not stable and eventually seep into the forest voids after a few minutes.…”

Superamphiphobic surfaces

“…160°) for rapeseed oil on a superhydrophobic surface composed of surface-fluorinated carbon nanotubes, the oil 20 droplet remained pinned of the surface when the substrate was tilted. 17 Any real surface exhibits two contact angles, the so-called advancing contact angle ( Adv ) and receding contact angle ( Rec ). The difference between them is a presentation of the surface 25 'non-ideality', and commonly referred to as the CAH, 11 which is intimately related to the adhesion of materials on the surface.…”