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

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 101; no. 3; pp. 503 - 508
• Main Authors: Tang, M., Hong, M. H., Choo, Y. S., Tang, Z., Chua, Daniel H. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.11.2010
• 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; Quartz Substrate; Plasma Treatment; Semet; Femtosecond Laser; Contact Angle
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-010-5887-6

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.