One‐Pot Process to Control the Elaboration of Non‐Wetting Nanofibers

Abstract

The surface wettability, such as superhydrophobic properties, of nanofibrous structures is highly depending on their size, length, spacing or orientation to the surface. Finding a way to control all these characteristics is extremely important in a theoretical point of view and for various applications. Here, we report the possible tuning of all these characteristics by adjusting the length (n) of the alkyl chains of electrodeposited poly(3,3‐dialkyl‐3,4‐propylenedioxythiophene), which allows the formation of horizontally or vertically oriented nanofibers of various dimensions and spacings. Here, we play especially on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics of the polymer to change the growth of a polymer on a substrate and the distance between the polymer backbones. For example, a change in the fiber orientation from horizontal to vertical is observed for n = 2. For n < 2, the polymer fibers are mainly horizontally aligned while for n > 2, the polymer fibers are vertically aligned.

Control over Water Adhesion on Nanostructured Parahydrophobic Films Using Mesh Substrates

“…These properties are called parahydrophobic, as described by Marmur, and can explain the high adhesion of rose leaves and gecko feet, for example. Many processes can be employed in order to control these parameters and, as a consequence, the water adhesion . For example, Bhushan et al.…”

Staudinger Vilarassa reaction: A powerful tool for surface modification and superhydrophobic properties

“…Recently new development in rapid engineering for wettability or adhesion show good results [3][4][5][6][7][8]. But the fabrication of hydrophobic surfaces remains a challenge, these materials often need both low surface energy materials and surface structures.…”

A bioinspired approach to produce parahydrophobic properties using PEDOP conducting polymers with branched alkyl chains

“…Moreover, various substituents can also be used to modify the surface morphology and wettability. One of the most important parameter was found to be the polymerizable core, which is necessary to induce the electrodeposition [23,24]. The 3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole (EDOP) heterocycle is an excellent core with exceptional polymerization capacity associated to excellent optical and electrical properties [25,26].…”