Preparation of superhydrophobic antistatic coatings from branched alternating copolymers P(St-alt-MAn) and carbon nanotubes based on organic-inorganic hybrid approach

Novel superhydrophobic antistatic coatings were prepared from the branched alternating copolymers P(St-alt-MAn) and carbon nanotubes through a facile method. Pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were non-covalently modified by an organic-inorganic hybrid of the branched copolymers P(St-alt-MAn) and silica with the existence of gamma-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane. The modified MWCNTs were mixed with tetraethyl orthosilicate in ethanol, coated with a fluoroalkylsilane, and then heat treated to obtain the superhydrophobic antistatic coatings. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the coatings have a micrometer- and nanometer-scale hierarchical structure similar to that of lotus leaves with high water contact angles (>170 degrees). In addition, the relationship between content of MWCNTs and the properties of the coatings, as well as the effect of cure temperature on contact angle values were investigated systematically. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.