Artificial lotus leaf structures from assembling carbon nanotubes and their applications in hydrophobic textiles

Abstract

Artificial lotus leaf structures were fabricated on cotton substrates via the controlled assembly of carbon nanotubes onto the surface of cotton substrates. Both pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and surface modified carbon nanotubes (PBA-g-CNTs) were used as building blocks to biomimic the surface microstructures of lotus leaves at the nanoscale. Cotton fabrics, which otherwise have perfect water absorbabilities, have been endowed with super-hydrophobic properties—water contact angles greater than 150° were measured. The method provides a bionic route to create hydrophobic textiles. Furthermore, considering the novel mechanical and electric properties of carbon nanotubes, these carbon nanotubes coated cotton fabrics will find potential application in sensing, conducting and special textiles.