Superhydrophobic surfaces with low and high adhesion made from mixed (hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon) 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene monomers

This work concerns new superhydrophobic surfaces, generated by replacing long fluorocarbon chains, which bioaccumulate, with short chains whilst at the same time retaining oleophobic properties. Here, is described the synthesis of novel 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene derivatives containing both a short fluorocarbon chain (perfluorobutyl) and a hydrocarbon chain of various lengths (ethyl, butyl and hexyl). Superhydrophobic (θ_water > 150°) surfaces with good oleophobic properties (60° > θ_hexadecane > 80°) have been obtained by electrodeposition using cyclic voltammetry. Surprisingly, the lowest hystereses and sliding angles (Lotus effect) are obtained with the shortest alkyl chains due to the presence of microstructures made of nanofibers on the surfaces, whereas, the longest alkyl chains leads to nanosheets with high adhesion (Petal effect). Such materials are potential candidates for biomedical applications.