Superhydrophobic properties of cotton woven fabrics with conducting 3D networks of multiwall carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs

This article presents the findings concerning the preparation and properties of cotton woven fabrics with a conductive network made of multiwall carbon nanotubes deposited on the fiber surface by the padding method. The next stage of treatment consisted of imparting superhydrophobic properties to the fabrics in solution with methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS) in a waterless medium. The tests performed show that the state of surface and water content in cotton fibers exerts a significant influence on the hydrophobic properties of the analyzed samples. In order to explain the differences in hydrophobic properties, the morphology of the cotton fabric surface was examined using samples with various water contents. The formation mechanism of MTCS coatings on cotton fabric has been proposed.