Parahydrophobic and Nanostructured Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) and Poly(3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole) Films with Hyperbranched Alkyl Chains

Abstract

Here, we control the surface hydrophobicity and the adhesion of water droplets by electrodeposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole) (PProDOP) with branched alkyl chains placed preferentially on the bridge to favor the formation of nanofibers. Branched alkyl chains of various sizes from very short (C 3 ) to hyperbranched (C 18 ) are studied because they have lower surface hydrophobicity than long alkyl or fluoroalkyl chains (preferable for parahydrophobic properties). The electrodeposition is much more favored with the PEDOP derivatives because the ProDOP films are more soluble. However, the formation of nanoparticles is favored with the PEDOP polymers in contrast to the formation of fibers, resembling the wax nanoclusters observed on lotus leaves, with the ProDOP polymers. With both these PEDOP and PProDOP derivatives, it is possible to reach parahydrophobic properties characterized by a sticking behavior toward water droplets. This kind of surfaces could be used in the future in water harvesting systems, for example.

Bioinspired surfaces with strong water adhesion from electrodeposited poly(thieno[3,4-b]thiophene) with various branched alkyl chains

“…The electropolymerization process has been used in the literature to rapidly form on working electrode substrates conducting polymer films with various surface energy and surface structures [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

“…For the electropolymerization core, thieno [3,4-b]thiophene combines both exceptional polymerization capacity leading to polymers with unique opto-electronic properties, and a relatively easiness to introduce various substituents [26,27]. To adapt both surface hydrophobicity and water adhesion, perfluorinated or linear alkyl chains can be replaced by branched alkyl chains or aromatics groups [18][19][20][21][22].…”