Nanostructured ZnO-Based Surface with Reversible Electrochemically Adjustable Wettability

A ZnO-based smart surface functionalized by a surface-confined sub-monolayer layer of a purpose-built redox molecule is realized. The hybrid ferrocene/ZnO assembly exhibits a controllable wetting behavior with a contact angle that can be rapidly and reversibly adjusted to a defined value ranging from 110 degrees to less than 110 degrees (see figure).