Super-hydrophobic transparent surface by femtosecond laser micro-patterned catalyst thin film for carbon nanotube cluster growth

In this work, super-hydrophobic surfaces were fabricated by femtosecond laser micro-machining and chemical vapor deposition to constitute hybrid scale micro/nano-structures formed by carbon nanotube (CNT) clusters. Nickel thin-film microstructures, functioning as CNT growth catalyst, precisely contr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2010-11, Vol.101 (3), p.503-508
Main Authors: Tang, M., Hong, M. H., Choo, Y. S., Tang, Z., Chua, Daniel H. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon nanotubes
Catalysts
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Clusters
Condensed Matter Physics
Contact angle
Femtosecond
Lasers
Machines
Manufacturing
Nanostructure
Nanotechnology
Nickel
Optical and Electronic Materials
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Processes
Surfaces and Interfaces
Thin Films
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Summary:In this work, super-hydrophobic surfaces were fabricated by femtosecond laser micro-machining and chemical vapor deposition to constitute hybrid scale micro/nano-structures formed by carbon nanotube (CNT) clusters. Nickel thin-film microstructures, functioning as CNT growth catalyst, precisely control the distribution of the CNT clusters. To obtain minimal heat-affected zones, femtosecond laser was used to trim the nickel thin-film coating. Plasma treatment was subsequently carried out to enhance the lotus-leaf effect. The wetting property of the CNT surface is improved from hydrophilicity to super-hydrophobicity at an advancing contact angle of 161 degrees. The dynamic water drop impacting test further confirms its enhanced water-repellent property. Meanwhile, this super-hydrophobic surface exhibits excellent transparency with quartz as the substrate. This hybrid fabrication technique can achieve super-hydrophobic surfaces over a large area, which has potential applications as self-cleaning windows for vehicles, solar cells and high-rise buildings.
ISSN:0947-8396
1432-0630
DOI:10.1007/s00339-010-5887-6