A Multifunctional Surface Fabricated by Polydimethylsiloxane Coated Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes

We report a facile method to fabricate superhydrophobic, transparent and conductive film using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) which are coated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). In order to prepare a film, PDMS coated MWCNTs were dispersed in solvents and the solution was drop-casted on substrates. It was demonstrated that the PDMS coating enhanced the dispersion of MWCNTs in diverse solvents such as dimethyl formamide(DMF) and acetone without the use of acids or surfactants, which are the common methods. In the case of DMF solvent, dispersion of MWCNT was improved by 40 % upon PDMS-coating of MWCNT. Enhanced dispersion of MWCNTs made it possible to fabricate transparent and conductive film homogeneously on the substrate and PDMS-coating on MWCNTs also made the surface hydrophobic. We can fabricate a uniform and multifunctional MWCNT film (transparent, conductive, superhydrophobic and flexible) which is applicable on large area without any physical damage and expensive equipment.