Optimization of the Synthesis of Superhydrophobic Carbon Nanomaterials by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract
Demand is increasing for superhydrophobic materials in many applications, such as membrane distillation, separation and special coating technologies. In this study, we report a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to fabricate superhydrophobic carbon nanomaterials (CNM) on nickel (Ni)-doped powder activated carbon (PAC). The reaction temperature, reaction time and H2/C2H2 gas ratio were optimized to achieve the optimum contact angle (CA) and carbon yield (CY). For the highest CY (380%) and CA (177°), the optimal reaction temperatures were 702 °C and 687 °C, respectively. However, both the reaction time (40 min) and gas ratio (1.0) were found to have similar effects on CY and CA. Based on the Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images, the CNM could be categorized into two main groups: A) carbon spheres (CS) free carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and b) CS mixed with CNFs, which were formed at 650 and 750 °C, respectively. Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis also support this finding. The hydrophobicity of the CNM, expressed by the CA, follows the trend of CS-mixed CNFs (CA: 177°) CSfree CNFs (CA: 167°) PAC/Ni (CA: 65°). This paves the way for future applications of synthesized CNM to fabricate water-repellent industrial-grade technologies.
Keywords
Hydrogen production, Carbon nanofibers, Methane decomposition
Divisions
fac_eng,nanotechnology
Funders
National Chair of Materials Sciences and Metallurgy, University of Nizwa, Oman,University of Malaya PPP-Grant (6091-2016A) and RP044D-17AET
Publication Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
8
Issue
1
Publisher
Nature Research