Wettability of graphene nanoribbons films with different surface density

Abstract

In this work, graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) films with different surface density are prepared on silicon substrates. These GNRs films are obtained by unzipping single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using Zn sputtering and HCl treatment. The morphologies of the GNRs films are characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. The contact angle of water on GNRs films increases with the increasing surface density of the GNRs. The wettability of the GNRs films changes from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with increasing density. Meanwhile, the contact angle of water of GNRs is smaller than that of SWNTs for the film with same density. The corresponding mechanisms are proposed and discussed.