Electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes: recent progress and remaining challenges

Abstract

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a powerful technique to assemble carbon nanotube (CNT) coatings and composite films with controlled architectures. This comprehensive review of the EPD of CNTs and CNT-containing composites focuses on achievements within the last 15 years and ongoing challenges. Stable CNT suspensions are a prerequisite for successful EPD and have been prepared by a variety of strategies, discussed here. The resulting film microstructure is determined by the initial feedstock, the suspension, and the EPD approach applied, as well as a variety of EPD processing parameters. Nanocomposites can be prepared via co-deposition, sequential deposition, or post-deposition treatments, to introduce metallic, ceramic or polymeric phases. There are numerous potential applications for both homogeneous and patterned CNT films, including as structural reinforcements for composites, as field emission, energy storage and conversion devices, as well as in biomedical applications. The advantages and disadvantages of EPD processing in these contexts are discussed.

Ag–Sr doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles loaded chitosan/gelatin coating for orthopedic implants

“…Both direct and alternating current can be used in EPD process but mostly direct current is used. 31 For the optimization of chitosan/gelatin/Ag-Sr MBGNs, design of experiment approach (DoE) was used. DoE approach allows optimization of the process parameters and the suspension components with a reduced number of experiments.…”

“…In this research, cathodic EPD was used because of improved coating thickness and uniformity of the deposits, resilience in the architecture of implant/substrate used for coatings, and profitable process. Both direct and alternating current can be used in EPD process but mostly direct current is used 31 . For the optimization of chitosan/gelatin/Ag–Sr MBGNs, design of experiment approach (DoE) was used.…”

Near Superhydrophobic Carbon Nanotube Coatings Obtained via Electrophoretic Deposition on Low‐Alloy Steels

“…In addition to their desirable physical properties, CNT are intrinsically highly hydrophobic particles, [7,8] making them a suitable candidate for surface protection, as shown in a previous study by MacLucas et al [9] There are several methods used to deposit CNT (dip coating, drop casting, spin coating, spray coating, etc.). [8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] However, for this study, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is adopted on account of the advantages it presents, [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] namely, modest equipment requirements, easy controllability, cost effectiveness, scalability, and the ability to coat complex geometries. During EPD, an electric field is created between the substrate that will be coated and a counter electrode.…”

“…There are several methods used to deposit CNT (dip coating, drop casting, spin coating, spray coating, etc.). [ 8,10–17 ] However, for this study, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is adopted on account of the advantages it presents, [ 18–25 ] namely, modest equipment requirements, easy controllability, cost effectiveness, scalability, and the ability to coat complex geometries. During EPD, an electric field is created between the substrate that will be coated and a counter electrode.…”

Enhancing Anti-Static Performance of Fibers by Construction of the Hybrid Conductive Network Structure on the Fiber Surface

“…However, the high cost of preparation and the difficulty of industrialization hinder the large-scale application of graphene. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as a promising nano-conductive filler, have an efficient network-like conducting structure, high chemical stability, and remarkable mechanical properties [ 20 , 21 ]. Furthermore, the mature and cheaper preparation method, as well as the modification processes, made CNTs widely used for the modification of antistatic materials in the fields of fabric [ 22 , 23 , 24 ] and polymeric matrices [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”