Complexation of cationic fluorosurfactants to well-defined acrylic acid plasma polymer surfaces gives rise to oleophobic/hydrophilic behavior. This is in marked contrast to the usual oleophobic/hydrophobic liquid repellent attributes of conventional polyelectrolyte−fluorosurfactant complexes formed by solution-phase synthesis.

Cationic fluorosurfactants complexed to maleic anhydride plasma polymer layers readily undergo surface reconstruction in response to their local liquid environment. Repetitive alternation between oleophobic and hydrophilic behavior is observed.