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 γ-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°). 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.