Surface Properties of Silica–MWCNTs/PDMS Composite Coatings Deposited on Plasma Activated Glass Supports

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on fabrication and physicochemical properties investigations of silica–multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite coatings deposited on the glass supports activated by cold plasma. Air or argon was used as the carrier gas in the plasma process. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were modified with poly(dimethylsiloxane) in order to impart their hydrophobicity. The silica–multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(dimethylsiloxane) nanocomposite was synthesized using the sol–gel technique with acid-assisted tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis. The stability and the zeta potential of the obtained suspension were evaluated. Then, the product was dried and used as a filler in another sol–gel process, which led to the coating application via the dip-coating method. The substrates were exposed to the hexamethyldisilazane vapors in order to improve their hydrophobicity. The obtained surfaces were characterized by the wettability measurements and surface free energy determination as well as optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmittance measurements. In addition, the thermal analyses of the carbon nanotubes as well as coatings were made. It was found that rough and hydrophobic coatings were obtained with a high transmittance in the visible range. They are characterized by the water contact angle larger than 90 degrees and the transmission at the level of 95%. The X-ray diffraction studies as well as scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the chemical and structural compositions of the coatings. They are thermally stable at the temperature up to 250 °C. Moreover, the thermal analysis showed that the obtained composite material has greater thermal resistance than the pure nanotubes.

Recent Advances in Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Technology

“…Contributions to this Special Issue focus on different aspects of Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Technology, giving valuable examples of applied research in the field. This Special Issue of Applied Sciences, "Recent Advances in Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Technology", includes one review [3] and eight original papers [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], providing new insights into the application of atmospheric pressure plasma technology. Domonkos et al [3] discussed the application of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) technology in different configurations.…”

“…Chodkowski et al [5] focused on fabrication and physicochemical properties investigations of silica-multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite coatings deposited on the glass supports activated by cold plasma in air or argon. They found that the type of plasma influences the surface properties of the deposited coating.…”

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