Superhydrophobic surfaces from 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) derivatives

Controlling the polymer growth and the surface morphology in the electrodeposition process is fundamental for applications in liquid-repellent surfaces. We report the synthesis and characterization of original fluorinated (F-butyl, F-hexyl and F-octyl) 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene derivatives as monomers for the elaboration of superhydrophobic and oleophilic surfaces by electropolymerization. The depositions are performed in two solvents (acetonitrile and dichloromethane) and at constant potential. Their surface analyses shows that the lengthening in the fluorinated chain induces a change in the surface morphology from assembly of fibers to quasi-spherical particles. If the presence of spherical particles is better to reach superhydrophobic properties with lower hysteresis and sliding angle, the fibers are much able to repel low surface tension liquids as hexadecane. If the nature of the solvent (acetonitrile or dichloromethane) has not a significant influence on the surface morphology, it can highly affect the surface roughness by favoring a two-dimensional or three-dimensional growth. The growth and the surface morphology can also be controlled by using cyclic voltammetry as deposition method.