Rapid, low temperature microwave synthesis of durable, superhydrophobic carbon nanotube–polybenzoxazine nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study we used microwave irradiation at 2.45 GHz to synthesize superhydrophobic multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–polybenzoxazine (PBZ) nanocomposites. The process required only approximately 45 s to ensure complete polymerization. The MWCNT–PBZ nanocomposites, which do not contain any fluorinated compounds, maintained their superhydrophobicity after pressing and displayed excellent environmental stability. From studies of the impact behavior of water droplets, we found that the microwave-treated MWCNT–PBZ nanocomposites exhibited robust superhydrophobicity under dynamic conditions, with the droplets bouncing off their surfaces completely without wetting. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic MWCNT–PBZ nanocomposites had excellent stability in terms of the contact angle with water after to organic solvent treatment .