Superhydrophobic Coating Based on Carbon Nanoparticles, Strengthened by Polymer

Abstract— A two-layer superhydrophobic coating consisting of a heating and water-repellent layer is obtained. The heating layer, which is a percolation network of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), is reinforced with a polymer to improve surface adhesion, strength, and wear resistance. Epoxy resin is used as a reinforcing polymer. Various methods of organizing a heating layer from CNTs with a reinforcing polymer are considered, and the best ones are identified for creating a heating or antistatic surface. The influence of the concentration of CNTs in the polymer on the strength of the composite is studied. Different methods of introducing nanotubes in the polymer are compared to achieve the best deagglomeration of nanoparticles. The effects of functionalization of nanotubes are tested, and an increase in the coating strength with a slight increase in conductivity is revealed. The optimal concentration of Taunit-M carbon nanoparticles for strengthening ED-20 epoxy resin is found to be 0.07% for nonfunctionalized nanotubes and 0.5–0.6% for particles with –CONH₂ in groups. It is possible to achieve a superhydrophobic state of the surface: the contact angle of wetting is 152.3 ± 0.7 and the angle of the beginning of the sliding of the droplet is 1.6 ± 0.9.