Preparation of Large Area Double-walled Carbon Nanotube Macro-films with Self-cleaning Properties

Double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) macro-films with large areas, excellent flexibility and superhydrophobicity are reported. The area of the macro-film is larger than 30 cm × 15 cm, and this large film can be bended, or folded without any damage, and even can be tailored freely. After a simple modification of perfluoroalkysilane, the surface of the macro-film shows excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 165.7±2 deg. and sliding angle lower than 3 deg., the prepared superhydrophobic films showing excellent antifouling, self-cleaning and water-repellent functions. The topographic roughness and perfluoroalkysilane modification are found to contribute to the observed superhydrophobicity. Considering the outstanding electronic, chemical and mechanical properties of DWCNTs, it is expected that this multifunctional DWCNT macro-film has potential applications in many fields.