Non-premixed flame synthesis of hydrophobic carbon nanostructured surfaces

We synthesize and deposit carbon nanostructures through flame synthesis on stainless steel grids and foils, and on bare and ferrofluid-painted silicon wafers at different non-premixed flame locations to produce hydrophobic surfaces. The hydrophobicity is characterized through the contact angle for water droplets placed on the surface. The surface morphology of the nanoparticles is obtained from high-resolution FESEM images. The morphology and hydrophobicity of the nanostructured surfaces depends upon the deposition, which differs at different flame locations. We determine the optimum flame location for the synthesis and deposition of surface carbon nanostructures that lead to maximum hydrophobicity.