One-step synthesis porous tungsten carbide films with excellent hydrophilicity

Tungsten carbide porous films have been prepared by hot filament chemical vapor deposition with carbonized tungsten filaments as precursors. The structural properties and morphologies of the nanofilms were characterized by XRD, SEM and Raman. There are many nanocones and channels in the surface. A possible formation mechanism of the structure was proposed. And the contact angle measurements show that the films exhibit excellent hydrophilicity, especially the film after the treatment by hydrogen has a contact angle of 8.6. The high roughness and chemical composition on the surface are responsible for its hydrophilicity. Therefore, this film maybe has potential as electrocatalyst and electrocatalyst support. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.