Wet deposition of carbon nanotube black coatings for stray light reduction in optical systems

•Simple and low cost method proposed for producing non-reflective, high light-absorbing coatings•Super-black coating for stray light reduction in optical systems•Method based on wet deposition of carbon nanotube formulations•Suitable for coating large areas and 3D structures•Coating performance can be controlled by the MWCNT/binder concentration.

Stray light, also known as optical noise, affects the performance of many optical devices. It can be reduced to a tolerable level by well-designed and well-baffled system or/and by using functional black coatings that are fabricated in a complex and costly process. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) absorb light strongly, making them an ideal candidate for realizing a super black coating. CNT coatings were formed by spraying formulations composed of a silicon binder and low cost multiwalled CNTs on a pre-heated aluminum plate. The diffuse reflectance of the coatings in the VIS range (350–800 nm) was in the range of 2.6–5.11%, depending on the MWCNT concentration in the coating. In the NIR range (850–2400 nm), the reflectance values were in the range of 4–6.5%, however the dependence on MWCNT concentration was not very significant. Excellent adhesion to the aluminum substrates was achieved, for coatings with CNT concentration below 15%, while still having very low reflectance, even at temperature cycling between 200 °C and − 196 °C. The proposed coating formulations enable simple and low cost approach for producing high light-absorbing coating of complex 3D structures within a very short time by wet deposition of CNTs.