Tunable Surface Nanoporosity by Electropolymerization of N-Alkyl-3,4-ethylenedioxypyrroles With Different Alkyl Chain Lengths

The tuning of the surface morphology is crucial in the development of superhydrophobic surfaces with various wetting properties. Here, we report the synthesis and electrodeposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) derivatives containing hydrocarbon chains (ethyl to tetradecyl). Surprisingly, the alkyl chain length has a very important influence on the surface morphology and as a consequence on the water-repellency properties. The amount of the nanoporosity and the water-repellency properties can be controlled with alkyl chain length. Moreover, it seems the presence of surface nanoporosity is in correlation with the steric hindrances induced by the alkyl chains during the electrodeposition. This paper uses bioinspired approaches (fluorocarbon free) to reach superhydrophobic surfaces.