Preparation of Self-Cleaning Coating Films with Nano- and Microstructure

Recently nanoscience and nanotechnology have been studied intensively, and many plants, insects, and animals in nature have been found to have nanostructures in their bodies. Among them, lotus leaves have a unique nanostructure and microstructure in combination and show superhydrophobicity and a self-cleaning function to wipe and clean impurities on their surfaces. Coating films with combined nanostructures and microstructures resembling those of lotus leaves may also have superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning functions; as a result, they could be used in various applications, such as in outfits, tents, building walls, or exterior surfaces of transportation vehicles like cars, ships, or airplanes. In this study, coating films were prepared by dip coating method using polypropylene polymers dissolved in a mixture of solvent, xylene and non-solvent, methylethylketon, and ethanol. Additionally, attempts were made to prepare nanostructures on top of microstructures by coating with the same coating solution with an addition of carbon nanotubes, or by applying a carbon nanotube over-coat on polymer coating films. Coating films prepared without carbon nanotubes were found to have superhydrophobicity, with a water contact angle of $152^{\circ}$ and sliding angle less than $2^{\circ}$. Coating films prepared with carbon nanotubes were also found to have a similar degree of superhydrophobicity, with a water contact angle of 150 degrees and a sliding angle of 3 degrees.