Issue 41, 2009

On the superhydrophobic properties of nickel nanocarpets

Abstract

A surface formed by dense, aligned nickel nanowires (a “nanocarpet”) was prepared by electrodeposition through an alumina membrane template, followed by dissolution of the membrane. The nickel nanowires forming the nanocarpet have a very high aspect ratio (∼250), with a diameter of 200 nm and a length of several tens of micrometers. The nickel nanowires are highly rigid, perpendicularly aligned in the nanocarpet with respect to the substrate, and they touch each other at the tips, forming microscale “tepee”-shaped aggregates. By comparison, nanocarpets made of platinum nanowires have a more disordered, wave-like appearance. The nickel nanocarpet, once coated with a hydrophobic surfactant (stearic acid) has superhydrophobic properties (advancing contact angle ∼158°), and retains its superhydrophobicity after periods of immersion in water, similar to the hydrophobised platinum nanocarpet (advancing contact angle ∼162°). Interestingly, we observe that simple electrodeposition of platinum also produces pronounced superhydrophobic properties on “flat” copper surfaces. The magnetic properties of nickel might widen the range of applications in which nanocarpets can be gainfully used, such as in surfaces of switchable wettability for microfluidic applications.

Graphical abstract: On the superhydrophobic properties of nickel nanocarpets

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 May 2009
Accepted
11 Aug 2009
First published
27 Aug 2009

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2009,11, 9537-9544

On the superhydrophobic properties of nickel nanocarpets

C. Neto, K. R. Joseph and W. R. Brant, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2009, 11, 9537 DOI: 10.1039/B909899B

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