Boosting the hydrophobicity of eco-friendly polyaniline coating using TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

This article clarifies the thin layer deposition of superhydrophobic coating using eco-friendly polymer (polyaniline [PANI]) incorporated with TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles on indium tin oxide substrate. Using the cyclic voltammetry method, in situ polymerization of PANI incorporated with hybrid (TiO₂–ZnO) was accomplished. The morphology and hydrophobicity of electro-deposited films were examined; the impact of deposition cycles was also investigated. The morphological structure was studied using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis proved the incorporation of nanoparticles into the composite matrix. Additionally, the water contact angle of the PANI composite was found to be 150.4°, and the findings reflected that (TiO₂–ZnO) nanoparticles were significantly implicated in enhancing this superhydrophobicity. The surface roughness of the PANI matrix was increased when TiO₂ and ZnO are added, as was shown by atomic force microscope investigation.